Future design of the Forever One Memorial honoring the victims of the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival.
A new memorial, the Forever One Memorial, is set to honor the victims and heroes of the October 1, 2017, mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival. Located on the Las Vegas Strip, it will feature 58 illuminated butterflies and 22 vertical stakes to symbolize victims and survivors. The initiative, led by the Vegas Strong Fund, aims to raise $45 million for completion by the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, reflecting community resilience and paying tribute to lost lives.
Carson City, Nevada – Plans for a new memorial, named the Forever One Memorial, have been announced to honor the victims, survivors, and heroes of the tragic mass shooting that occurred on October 1, 2017, at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas. This memorial will be located on the Las Vegas Strip, near the site of the massacre, and is scheduled for completion by the 10th anniversary of the shooting on October 1, 2027.
The shooting, which stands as one of the deadliest mass shooting events in U.S. history, resulted in the loss of 58 lives and left over 450 individuals injured. The impact extended to nearly 2,500 attendees, marking it as a major national tragedy. In the wake of this event, a vigil was held on October 8, 2017, to honor the victims and support the mourning community.
On May 8, 2023, stakeholders including advocates, lawmakers, and survivors came together at the Nevada Legislature in Carson City to support the fundraising efforts for the Forever One Memorial. The Vegas Strong Fund is leading the initiative, aiming to raise $45 million for the memorial through donations, as part of a concerted effort to ensure that the memory of the victims is preserved and that the community’s resilience is celebrated.
MGM Resorts International is providing the land for the memorial, which is located at the original site of the festival. The design of the Forever One Memorial is meant to be both a tribute to those who were lost and a symbol of unity and resilience. The memorial will feature 58 illuminated butterflies, representing each victim, and 22 vertical stakes that symbolize approximately 22,000 survivors of the tragedy. This design seeks to embody the collective spirit of the community, emphasizing both the sorrow of loss and the joy that was present at the festival.
Among those who addressed the gathering were prominent figures including Nevada State Senator John Steinbeck and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Kevin McMahill. They underscored the importance of the memorial as a reflection of community values and a part of Nevada’s historical narrative. Additionally, Kelly McMahill from the Vegas Strong Fund shared insights regarding the emotional significance of the memorial’s design, highlighting its intention to fully capture both grief and joy.
The final design, which took three years to develop, includes features such as 58 candle-like beams and a meandering park shaped like an infinity symbol. Visitors will find a looping path leading through gardens that connect to the key elements of the memorial, providing an interactive space for reflection and remembrance. In total, the design will incorporate 22,000 lights, symbolically representing each attendee who experienced the festival that day.
Construction of the Forever One Memorial is set to begin within the next six months. Officials involved in the project have expressed their commitment to finishing the memorial in time for the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, ensuring that it serves as a lasting reminder of the lives lost and the resilience of those who have been affected by the shooting.
The Forever One Memorial not only aims to honor those who were directly impacted by the shooting but also to foster a sense of hope and healing within the community as it moves forward from this heartbreaking chapter in its history.
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