Hard Rock launches with celebrities in smashing debut
Gary has hopes casino will be big tourist attraction
The grand opening celebration of the new $300 million Hard Rock Northern Indiana Casino in Gary on Friday was more than a star-studded, guitar-smashing, rock ’n’ roll event to the city’s music royalty and local political leaders in attendance.
It was also heralded as the beginning of a promising future for the city.
“Get ready for the good times, Gary,” said Marlon Jackson, an original member of one of the music world’s most famous families, the Jackson Five, and a Gary native.
Jackson, who with his brother Tito, talked about their pride in being Gary natives and how happy they are to see the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Hard Rock International’s parent company, invest in the city by bringing the Region’s first land-based casino there.
Marlon Jackson said the new casino and the family’s home at 2300 Jackson St., which now has signs directing people to the house, will generate tourism for the city and the region.
“We’re ready to moonwalk back to success,” Tito Jackson said during the ceremony, which took place several hours before the casino opened to the public at 5 p.m.
The Jackson brothers were among a number of speakers at the traditional Hard Rock International guitar-smashing event held at the casino located just south of the Burr Street intersection off Interstate 80/94 Friday morning.
They joined fellow former Gary residents and music greats Deniece Williams, Kym Mazelle and Crystal Taliefero, as well as other musicians and executives from the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Hard Rock International, Spectacle Entertainment, Sara Tait, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, and local political leaders on the stage.
State Sen, Eddie Melton, D-Gary, said the casino put the city on a course for new growth and endless potential.
“Gary had some difficult days in the past. But with God there’s nothing we can’t accomplish and with a unified vision, there’s nothing and no one that can stand in our way,” Melton said.
He said the path to getting the casino wasn’t always smooth, however.
He recalled how his predecessor, former state Sen. Earline Rogers, first had the vision of having a land-based casino in the city 20 years ago and how he met some opposition when he sought legislation to allow the casino.
Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, also recognized Rogers, who was at the grand opening ceremony, along with Gary Common Council members and some area state legislators.
Schuffert said the casino has close to 1,600 slot machines, 80 game tables, five restaurants and a Hard Rock Live entertainment venue.
“None of this would have been possible without (former) Sen. Earline Rogers,” Schuffert said.
Marcellus W. Osceola Jr., chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, said the casino has created 700 new jobs for the Region, with more construction and full-time jobs coming in the future, when a second phase gets underway. He said the casino will also benefit the Region’s local charities.
“It’s not just what’s inside the casino that’s important to us. It’s what’s outside, the community, too,” Osceola said.
Gary Mayor Jerome Prince proclaimed Friday Jackson Day in Gary and gave the Jackson brothers a key to the city.
Before the guitar-smashing event, the Jackson brothers and Deniece Williams talked about their time in Gary, and how they still visit the city of their youth.
Williams, a Tolleston High School graduate, said she still visits every two to three years and has met with four mayors, starting with Rudy Clay.
She said she’s happy to see development taking place, bringing jobs to the residents.
Marlon and Tito Jackson said they’re happy to see a company invest in Gary and hope for more participation by other corporations.
On Thursday night, the casino hosted a VIP event that included musical performances by blues great Buddy Guy and Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, dinner and gaming.