Costumed characters on The Strip

Tony Gallardo kisses the hand of a tourist as fellow Elvis impersonator Robrigo Gonzalez, left, and Michael Jackson impersonator Chris Gardener look on while plying their trade in Las Vegas.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Kotton Kandy, a.k.a. Dwayne Dukes, 47, performs for tourists on Las Vegas Blvd. Dukes, who used to sell time shares in Las Vegas, lost his job and has been performing and posing for pictures for money on the Strip for the past year.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Maxwell Allen, wearing a Batman costume on the Strip, l lived in Los Angeles from 1999 to 2010 working as an actor. He has been working as a street performer in Las Vegas since 2010. “Business is better here,” Allen said. “And it’s a lot cheaper to live.”  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Sandra Allen wears a Minnie Mouse costume on Las Vegas Boulevard.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)