The shining star of Roanoke: Mill Mountain's dazzling beacon

Sit back and take a squint at Mill Mountain, a lively 1,703-foot-high peak nestled in the heart of Roanoke, Virginia. Over the years, this colossal mound has been a hive of activity, offering attractions such as a resort hotel, observation tower, amusement park, and incline railway. However, the pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the Roanoke Star, more affectionately known as the Mill Mountain Star. Sitting pretty at an impressive 27 meters in height, this shimmering sentinel is adorned with an incredible 2,000 feet of neon tubing, casting its radiant glow across the sky.

But don't be fooled, the star ain't one to be taken lightly – it's a whopping 60,000 pounds! It's quick to change its vibe, too – it's solemnly bathed in a tragic red for certain events and proudly dons its red, white, and blue for patriotic holidays, providing quite the spectacle for the folks below. Just remember, 'tis a monstrously hefty star!

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons