Feb 3, 2016 | Community Relations, General News
Pennsylvania’s first casino, and one of largest, to install cogeneration system
Mohegan Sun Pocono will install a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system which will provide a reliable, energy-efficient source for heating and electric power and reduce their primary energy consumption by 22% and carbon footprint by 14%. Installation of the CHP system by Reading, Pennsylvania-based UGI HVAC Enterprises, Inc. (UGI HVAC) is anticipated to begin in March and be fully operational by fall 2016.
“The implementation of the CHP system is one of our core sustainability initiatives for 2016,” said Mike Bean, President and CEO of Mohegan Sun Pocono. “This system will significantly reduce congestion in the local energy grid while providing us with a reliable, cost-effective energy source. Once fully operational, the electricity and heating from the system is likely to reduce Mohegan Sun Pocono’s carbon footprint by 3,900 metric tons annually, the equivalent of removing 820 vehicles from the road, carbon sequestered from 3,200 acres of forest or the planting of 100,000 trees.”
CHP, also known as cogeneration, is the simultaneous generation of electricity and heat from the same fuel source. This environmentally-friendly process generates electricity onsite using natural gas—a cleaner-burning fuel—to drive engine-based generating equipment. While most power plants in the U.S. do not utilize their waste heat, Mohegan Sun Pocono’s CHP system will capture heat from the engine’s exhaust gases and use it onsite. Aside from energy cost savings, the benefits include reduction in CO2 emissions, a continuous power supply and conservation of valuable fuel resources.
“We are thankful and excited about our partnership with UGI HVAC,” said Robert J. Soper, President of Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, the owner of Mohegan Sun Pocono. “This project stands as a testament to our commitment to long-term utility planning focused on utilizing cleaner energy sources and leading sustainable hospitality practices.”
UGI HVAC will provide the turnkey CHP system for Mohegan Sun Pocono. UGI Performance Solutions, a business unit of UGI HVAC, developed a system that addressed several areas of need for the facility. Additionally, Mohegan Sun Pocono worked with UGI Utilities to upgrade its natural gas service to support the project.
“We are thrilled to partner with Mohegan Sun Pocono on this project, which continues our expansion of installed CHP capacity to over 2,600 kW in the past three years,” said Kevin Kelleher, Vice President of UGI HVAC. ”The system will provide the facility with high-quality power while reducing operating costs and their environmental footprint.”
At part of its commitment to the community, Mohegan Sun Pocono and UGI HVAC worked with Penn State Hazleton engineering students on their Senior Design Capstone project which focused on alternative energy and power generation.
“On behalf of Penn State Hazleton, we were overjoyed to use the CHP system at Mohegan Sun Pocono as a foundation for our learnings,” said Dr. Joseph A. Ranalli, Assistant Professor of Engineering at Penn State Hazleton. Throughout the semester, students gathered information about Mohegan Sun Pocono and its proposed system, and researched how similar systems make use of waste heat. Students then performed a preliminary analysis on concepts for waste heat use that included space conditioning and generation of additional electrical power. Their research will continue into the spring semester when students will perform a detailed design and economic analysis to help other businesses recognize the benefits that a CHP system provides to themselves and the community.
The estimated cost of Mohegan Sun Pocono’s CHP system is $3 million, and 30 percent will be financed by a grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
ABOUT UGI HVAC ENTERPRISES, INC. AND UGI UTILITIES, INC.
UGI HVAC Enterprises Inc. (“UGI HVAC”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI Corporation. UGI HVAC provides heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, mechanical and electrical contracting, and project management services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Through one of its business units, UGI Performance Solutions, UGI HVAC provides onsite power generation solutions.
UGI Utilities Inc., also a subsidiary of UGI Corporation, has headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania and serves 675,000 customers in 46 Pennsylvania counties and one county in Maryland.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Jan 27, 2016 | Culture & History, Employment
La Center, Wash., – January 27, 2016 – The Cowlitz Indian Tribe, in collaboration with their partner, Mohegan Sun, announced today that Kara Fox-LaRose has been appointed General Manager of the Cowlitz Project, the $500-million-dollar casino project that will be the West Coast’s premier gaming, dining, entertainment and meeting destination. With over 20 years of gaming and hospitality experience, Fox-LaRose will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the facility slated to open in spring 2017.
“We’re thrilled to appoint Kara Fox-LaRose to General Manager of the Cowlitz Tribe’s project,” said Bill Iyall, Chairman, Cowlitz Tribe. “She is a highly accomplished professional with deep experience in the gaming and entertainment industry, and we’re looking forward to having her leadership here in Southwest Washington. Her expertise in entertainment marketing, operational leadership and community building will be an incredible asset to our work here to advance the economy and vitality of the community.”
In her most recent role, Fox-LaRose served as Assistant General Manager of Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP), in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Named one of ‘America’s Best Employers, 2015’ by Forbes, MSP was Pennsylvania’s first casino, opening in November 2006, and exceeding the Commonwealth’s expectation in revenues and profitability. She was directly responsible for the planning and execution of a multi-million-dollar expansion that introduced a hotel, convention center, spa and lobby bar in 2013. In addition to being named one of Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal’s ‘Top 25 Women in Business,’ Global Gaming Business Magazine also recently named Fox-LaRose one of their 2016 ‘25 People to Watch.’
“Kara’s experience in various levels of management throughout her career at Mohegan Sun has readied her for this opportunity to lead the Cowlitz Tribe and Mohegan Sun in our joint effort to establish a premier entertainment and meeting destination,” said Bobby Soper, President of Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA). “Her holistic appreciation of the business makes her the ideal candidate to introduce to the project the optimal business management practices that Mohegan Sun has to offer its valued partners.”
Over the next few months, efforts will be focused on developing the property’s brand, establishing the executive management team, securing retail and dining vendors and connecting with the community.
ABOUT THE COWLITZ TRIBE
The Cowlitz Tribe, headquartered in Longview, Wash., is a federally recognized tribe with over 4,000 tribal members. Since 2015, the Cowlitz Tribe has 152 acres of reservation land in Southwest Washington. The tribe is proud to provide health and human services to its tribal members, from housing assistance to education scholarships to award-winning health programs. More information is available by visiting www.cowlitz.org.
ABOUT THE COWLITZ PROJECT
The Cowlitz Project will be a premier entertainment, dining and meeting destination in the Pacific Northwest. Located in the heart of Southwest Washington off of the I-5 La Center exit, the 368,000-square-foot casino resort will include 100,000 square feet of gaming space, over 15 restaurants and retails shops, and eventually a 2,500-seat entertainment venue. More information is available by visiting www.cowlitzcasino.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY
The Authority is an instrumentality of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, or the Tribe, a federally recognized Indian tribe with an approximately 595-acre reservation situated in southeastern Connecticut, adjacent to Uncasville, Connecticut. The Authority has been granted the exclusive authority to conduct and regulate gaming activities on the existing reservation of the Tribe, including the operation of Mohegan Sun, a gaming and entertainment complex located on an approximately 185-acre site on the Tribe’s reservation. Through its subsidiary, Downs Racing, L.P., the Authority also owns and operates Mohegan Sun Pocono, a gaming and entertainment facility located on an approximately 400-acre site in Plains Township, Pennsylvania. MTGA also manages Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. More information about the Authority and its properties can be obtained by visiting www.mohegansun.com, www.mohegansunpocono.com or www.mtga.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, a 34-story, 1,200 room luxury hotel, a world-class spa and golf course, over 75 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and view us on YouTube.
Jan 19, 2016 | Racing
Racing on four consecutive nights and a double-header on Kentucky Derby day are included in the 2016 live racing schedule for the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, as announced by Vice-President of Racing Operations, Dale Rapson.
Racing opens at the renowned 5/8 mile oval in Wilkes Barre, PA on Saturday, March 19th, and will continue for the month of March on Tuesday, March 22, Sat., March 26, and Tuesday, March 29.
In April, racing moves to Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, with Sunday, April 3rd the 1st leg of the Bobby Weiss Late Closing Series for 3 and 4 year olds, named for the beloved former Director of Track Maintenance. Bobby retired in 2011, and was responsible for the record-breaking track surface that is maintained today. The series continues throughout April with the finals on May 1st and 3rd. There will be no live racing on Monday, April 4th.
The prestigious Sun Stakes Saturday is set for Saturday, July 2nd, and will feature the Earl Beal, Jr. Memorial 3-year-old Trot; the James Lynch 3-year-old Filly Pace; the Max Hempt 3-year-old Colt & Gelding Pace; and the Ben Franklin Free For All Pace. Eliminations will take place on Saturday, June 25th
Saturday, August 20th is the $2.1 million Super Stakes Saturday with the Colonial 3YO Trot; Valley Forge 3YO Filly Pace; and the Battle of the Brandywine 3YO Open Pace.
The newly-created Pennsylvania Classics for 3YO PA-sired pacing colts & geldings will be held on Kentucky Derby Day, May 7th with eliminations the week before.
Also on the celebratory Kentucky Derby is a double-header with two Pocono live race cards. Post Time for the first card will be at 11 a.m., and the second will be immediately following the 142nd running of the Derby. In between, there will be the Run for the Roses Hat Review and a huge party on the track apron. Live racing will immediately follow the second and third legs of the Triple Crown, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
The first Qualifiers of the season will be Tuesday, March 8th; Wednesday, March 9th; and Wednesday, March 16th.
Post Time for Sunday nights is 7:30p.m., with all other nights 6:30p.m. In September, October, and November, Monday night Post Time will switch to a 4:30p.m. Post. The 51st season of live racing concludes on Saturday, November 26th.
Jan 7, 2016 | Signings & Sightings, Special Events, Sports
Meet legendary NFL running back and 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame nominee at free public event
WHAT:
Brian Westbrook, former running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, will appear at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Saturday, January 16th for a free Signings & Sightings event.
WHEN/WHERE:
Saturday, January 16th
7:00pm to 8:00pm
Sky Bridge inside Mohegan Sun Pocono
IN DETAIL:
Join Mohegan Sun Pocono for a free Signings & Sightings event on Saturday, January 16th with former Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook. One of the most electrifying all-purpose weapons in the NFL over the past decade, Westbrook spent nine successful professional seasons in the NFL and was one of the most prolific running backs in Philadelphia Eagles history.
This is a wristband-only event. The first 150 people to line up on the Sky Bridge beginning at 5:00pm will receive a wristband and wristbands must be worn in order to gain entrance into this event. Only authorized photos will be signed and will be available with wristband. Due to time restrictions, signing of personal items, personalization, or photos taken with personal cameras are prohibited.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO:
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Dec 16, 2015 | Community Relations, General News
“Adopt-a-Family” program in partnership with United Way
From Left to Right: Ann Jones, Luzerne County Maternal and Family Health Services; Becky Brey, Luzerne County Head Start; Mike Bean, Mohegan Sun Pocono; Jennifer Pugh Deemer, United Way of Wyoming Valley
WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 11, 2015) – In its first “Adopt-a-Family” program, Mohegan Sun Pocono’s generous teammembers have donated holiday gifts for more than 400 lower-income families in Luzerne County, each with up to seven children.
On Friday, December 11th, Mohegan Sun Pocono team members, led by President & CEO Mike Bean, loaded a moving van with over 1,700 wrapped gifts and delivered them to Luzerne County Head Start and Luzerne County Maternal and Family Health Services.
“Mohegan Sun Pocono is deeply involved in our community,” said Bean, “and there is no better time to give back to those in need than the holidays. I’m tremendously proud of our team members for making a difference for so many families this season.”
The United Way of Wyoming Valley was a key partner in facilitating this program, and in bringing forward the more than 400 families from Luzerne County Head Start and Luzerne County Maternal and Family Health Services. Additionally, Mohegan Sun Pocono set up a Wishing Well where team members donated baby bottles, baby wipes and supplies, toys, coloring books, books and more for additional families in need.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO:
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Dec 14, 2015 | Breakers
Enjoy great tribute bands and amazing drink specials every Thursday with no cover
WHAT:
Bash In Breakers is back at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Every Thursday from January 7th through March 10th, enjoy live music from fantastic tribute bands inside Breakers starting at 8:00pm.
WHEN:
Thursdays from January 7th through March 10th
Starting at 8:00pm
No cover charge, age 21+ only
IN DETAIL:
Love Mohegan Sun Pocono’s Party on the Patio? No need to wait for summer—check out Bash In Breakers every Thursday from January 7th through March 10th starting at 8:00pm. Enjoy amazing tribute bands and great drink specials, including $2.00 Coors Light bottles, in a new winter location.
- Thursday, January 7th: Head Games, a tribute to Foreigner
- Thursday, January 14th: 2U, a tribute to U2
- Thursday, January 21st: Idol Kings, a tribute to Journey, John Mellencamp and Tom Petty
- Thursday, January 28th:Drive , a tribute to The Cars
- Thursday, February 4th: Who’s Next, a tribute to The Who
- Thursday, February 11th: 52nd Street, a tribute to Billy Joel
- Thursday, February 18th: Adrenalize, a tribute to Def Leppard
- Thursday, February 25th: Halfway to Hell, a tribute to AC/DC
- Thursday, March 3rd: Green River, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Thursday, March 10th: Little Paradise, a tribute to Pat Benatar
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO:
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Dec 7, 2015 | Entertainment, Holiday, Keystone Grand Ballroom, Special Events
Parties, events and specials all weekend long to ring in 2016
WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 7, 2015) – Where will you be on New Year’s Eve? This year make a resolution to be at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre, and ring in 2016 in style!
Wednesday, December 30th
Why wait for New Year’s Eve? Head over to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza to see the one and only Kevin Hart bring the laughs on Wednesday, December 30th. One of comedy’s biggest stars and a Philadelphia native, Hart most recently starred opposite Will Ferrell in Warner Brothers Pictures’ Get Hard. Tickets are still available at ticketmaster.com or at the NBT Bank Box Office in Wilkes-Barre.
New Year’s Eve: Thursday, December 31st
Early birds can start the revelry early at Mohegan Sun Pocono’s Noon Year’s Eve celebration, where it’s Midnight somewhere! Enjoy a countdown at Noon, along with a complimentary apple cider toast, party hats and noisemakers on the casino floor. Everyone age 21 and over is welcome to join the fun.
Play all day, then party all night! Spend the day at your favorite slot or table game and play $201,600 Party Fever. From 6:00am to 8:00pm, with each Status Point earned, receive a scratch card for the chance to win up to $201,600! Visit any kiosk to obtain a slip to exchange for a scratch card at the Player’s Club booth, while supplies last.
The fun continues all night on the casino floor, with the New Year’s Eve Prize Patrol out and about from 9:00pm to 1:00am. Every hour, they will award great prizes to two randomly selected guests playing their favorite slot or table game. So relax, have some fun, and may the New Year bring you luck and prosperity!
Bid farewell to 2015 and party like it’s 2016 at Bash in the Ballroom–a free party inside the Keystone Grand Ballroom. It may be New Year’s Eve but it will be hot summer fun from 10:00pm to 1:00am with live music from Parrotbeach, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band. Wear your best tropical attire or dress to impress—the choice is yours! Enjoy tropical drink specials all night long and $2.00 Coors Light drafts until Midnight.
While the casino floor at Mohegan Sun Pocono is always alive with excitement, New Year’s Eve adds an extra sense of exhilaration. Join the casino-wide party and countdown to 2016 with a complimentary champagne toast at Midnight, complete with party hats and noisemakers. Everyone age 21 and over is welcome to attend this free party.
Other Mohegan Sun Pocono venues will also be rocking on New Year’s Eve. Performances begin at 9:30pm and feature Stealing Neil at Breakers and Grace’s Downfall at Bar Louie. Or laugh your way into the New Year with Wise Crackers Comedy Club’s New Year’s Eve Show featuring Kevin Downey Jr., Sonia King and Scott Bruce. These nationally-recognized comedians will bring the laughs starting at 10:00pm. Tickets are available at mohegansunpocono.com for only $25.00 and include party hats, noisemakers and a complimentary champagne toast at Midnight.
New Year’s Day: Friday, January 1st
Start off 2016 with extra cash in your pocket with the $2016 Cash-in Extravaganza! On Friday, January 1st at 6:00am through Saturday, January 2nd at 6:00pm, get one entry for every Status Point earned. Then at 7:00pm on Saturday, January 2nd, five lucky guests will be selected to win $2,016.00 in cash. Winners need not be present but if they are, they will get an additional $500.00 in bonus cash!
On New Year’s Day, enjoy live entertainment from 9:30pm to 1:30am in Breakers, featuring Stealing Neil, and in Bar Louie with Nick Coyle’s Electracoustica.
Saturday, January 2nd and Sunday, January 3rd
Just because New Year’s Eve is over doesn’t mean the fun ends at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Spend the night in the luxurious hotel, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Lifestyle Collection. The 238-room hotel, comprised of 218 standard rooms and 20 suites, incorporates comfort and convenience with new technologies including iPad Mini compendiums, iHome docking systems, Smart TVs and Keurig coffee brewers. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art fitness center to kick-start your New Year’s resolutions, and full-service Spa Sapphire salon and spa so you can rejuvenate your body and soul. And when the Mohegan Sun Pocono hotel isn’t available, take advantage of partner hotels with shuttle service to all the action at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
On Saturday, January 2nd stop into Breakers for high-energy entertainment from The Chatter or into Bar Louie for the sounds of The Jeanne Zano Band from 9:30pm-1:30am.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO:
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Dec 7, 2015 | Battle of the Bands, Breakers, Entertainment
Call for entries now through January 29th
WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 7, 2015) – Does your band have what it takes to
reign supreme? Mohegan Sun Pocono wants to know! The sixth annual Battle of the Bands competition kicks off on Thursday, March 17th at Breakers, and starting now Mohegan Sun Pocono is looking for the best bands in NEPA to compete!
Don’t wait! Now through January 29th, interested bands can submit an entry to be crowned this year’s winner, and for the chance to win cash prizes at the grand finale on May 26, 2016, including the $10,000 grand prize!
To express interest in competing in this popular event, bands must submit the following no later than 5:00pm on Friday, January 29, 2016. 32 bands will be selected and notified no later than Monday, February 29th.
- Demo CD, EPK, website and/or flash drive containing no more than three songs. This should be as close as possible to proposed live performance; cover music preferred. Please note in writing with submission if there are overdubbed parts or guest artists who will not be part of the competition.
- Recent photo with names and instrumentation of all players, and an input list (preferably in digital format)
- Current song list and proposed 30-minute set list for the competition
- List of any Thursday evenings during the competition (March 17th through May 26th) that band would not be available between 7pm and Midnight
- Contact information, including email address and daytime phone number
- Verification that all band members are 21 years of age or older
Please send submissions to Battle of the Bands, Entertainment Office, Mohegan Sun Pocono, 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705 or [email protected].
For additional information or questions, contact [email protected] or 570.831.2264.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO:
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Nov 30, 2015 | Breaking News, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Holiday
WHAT:
Due to inclement weather, the Mohegan Sun Pocono tree lighting event and holiday celebration has been postponed until Thursday, December 3rd at 6:00pm.
WHEN:
RESCHEDULED TO Thursday, December 3, 2015
Main Casino Entrance
Festivities begin at 6:00pm; tree lighting and fireworks at 7:00pm
IN DETAIL:
Mirth and merriment abounds with activities that the whole family will love. Enjoy the holiday spirit and tradition of Rockefeller Center without leaving Northeastern Pennsylvania! Activities include:
- A spectacular performance of The Nutcracker by Ballet Northeast
- Live holiday music performances
- Complimentary hot cocoa and cookies
- Holiday pie giveaways by the Pies Patrol
- Appearance by Santa Claus and other special guests
- Celebratory lighting of a 34-foot holiday tree with delightful fireworks to follow, marking the occasion
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO:
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Nov 20, 2015 | 50th anniversary of racing, Racing
2015 Season Review
Here we are at the conclusion of the 2015 racing season at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. It’s been an extremely special season on a lot of levels, one that I’ve been thrilled to witness. I must admit that it feels a bit odd to be looking back, because, when you’re in the thick of an action-packed campaign like this one, it feels like it whooshes by before you know it.
The fact that this was the 50th racing season at Pocono lent everything an extra bit of specialness all year long. Each night of racing, the lights above the track lent their illumination, but they had a little help from the intangible glow cast upon the participants by the anniversary proceedings.
It even seemed like the weather cooperated for us this year more than I can ever remember. In one stretch, we went more than a month without seeing an off-track, and we even had unseasonably pleasant weather well into the month of November. As a result, it seemed like the crowds out on the patio and the apron were bigger than they’ve been in years.
What those patrons saw in 2015 was yet another season in which the racing product at Pocono was as fast and fantastic as anywhere else in the country. One peek at the track records page will show you just how dynamic the action was this past campaign. Five Pocono records were either set or matched in 2015, and four of those five also constituted world records.
Then again, electric talent tends to beget outstanding performances, so the assault on the record book was somewhat predictable in light of the caliber of horses that performed here throughout the season. We honored our horses of the year in this space last week, focusing mostly on those who were regulars or semi-regulars at Pocono this season. When you also consider some of the superstars of the sport who performed at Pocono in stakes races in 2015, horses like Wiggle It Jiggleit, Pinkman, and JL Cruze to name but a few, you get a true sense of the breadth of equine talent on display this past season.
Of course, those horses wouldn’t have been quite as special without the guidance and expertise of our drivers and trainers. We’ve talked in this column about the outstanding balance in the driving and training community this season, but a few men rose to the top of their respective fields.
On the driving side, it was a monster season for George Napolitano Jr., who easily won both the driving wins and driving percentage titles. George Nap broke his own single-season record for wins at Pocono and, at press time, was threatening the 400-win barrier on the season. Add to that the fact that he’s also leading the continent in wins for the season. What a year it’s been for Pocono’s most lauded driver.
Rene Allard once again dominated the training wins race, picking up his third straight title in that category. Allard had nearly twice as many victories as his nearest competitor, and at press time was on pace to put up the third most training wins in a season in Pocono history. Meanwhile Chris Oakes repeated as the top gun in the training percentage category, which means that nobody is more efficient at producing winners and in-the-money finishes than the Oakes barn.
I really don’t have enough space to list all of the drivers and trainers who gave outstanding efforts at the Pocono oval this past season. Nor can I recap all of the thrilling races and sizzling times and crazy long shots that characterized this past meet. (Although in that latter category, I do want to mention the performance this past Tuesday night of Lady Of The Lake, a mare who picked up her maiden victory for driver/trainer Joe Antonelli and paid off a stunning $398.60 on a $2 win ticket. That makes her Long Shot of the Year.)
And so it’s time to bid farewell to this racing season, one that fulfilled every one of the lofty expectations we placed on it based on it being such a momentous anniversary. I wrote extensively about the ramifications of the 50th anniversary throughout the season, but I’d like to mention once again how honored I am to have been a small part of it.
I feel like this was a special year for the Pocono patrons as well, many of whom followed us when the purses were miniscule compared to today and a mile under two minutes was a rare occurrence. This 50th year really belonged to you folks, so I hope you cherished it.
Before you know it we’ll be doing it all again though. So I’d like to wish everyone a great offseason and Happy Holidays. Stay warm. And then, come springtime, we’ll rev it up for season 51 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
That will do it for this season, but we’ll see you at the track in 2016. Feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].
