While Wendover’s casino lights shine like a beacon from across the Bonneville Salt Flats, the most unexpected luminescence comes from eight small bulbs lit just for one week in December.
“I was really amazed when I saw them.” said one traveler, “Who expects to see a menorah in a small town in Nevada?”
While any number of large cities across the west boast a Hanukkah Menorah, finding one shining in a city with a population of less than 5,000 is not only rare it is unheard of, that is with the exception of West Wendover.
In a survey of 10 Nevada and Utah cities with comparable or greater populations, none besides West Wendover could make a similar boast.
The menorah was added to the city’s holiday decorations in 1995, joining a secular Santa Claus and a Classic Christian Nativity Scene.
“The message we intend to give is that of our motto– Come Grow with Us.” said then Mayor Walt Sanders. “We want to be an all welcoming all inclusive community.”
While the city’s motto has since changed to Waiting with Open Arms– the menorah commemorating the successful Jewish revolt against the Syrian Greeks still stands. Lasting eight days the festival begins on December 16th and ends on December 24th.