Barrett-Jackson Auctions: Rolling into new Mohegan facility

It was the massive response in 2016 to the first visit of Barrett-Jackson (aka the World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions) that helped Mohegan Sun fast-track plans for a new convention center at the already-huge resort in Uncasville. The $80million expansion resulted in the Earth Expo & Convention Center, which opened with a ribboncutting May 30.

That’s just in time for the 3rd annual BarrettJackson auction to take place in the new, brightly painted facility, consisting of a 125,000-squarerides foot Expo Center, among a 250,000-square-foot site that also includes an Earth Ballroom, prefunction space and 15 meeting rooms. It’s all located next to the property’s Winter Parking Garage, adjacent to the 2-year-old Earth Tower hotel.

While the actual classic automobile auction will be televised on Velocity or Discovery cable channels Thursday through Saturday, 2-8 p.m., visitors will find a host of related events that began Wednesday, June 20 (Preview Day), and rev up Thursday with such features as the DIY Pavilion and on a closed course with a professional driver from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (same times Friday and Saturday).

If that’s not enough, Barrett-Jackson has teamed with other sponsors on a first-time stop of the goldRush Rally that is making its way from Boston on Friday to New York. A Mohegan news release says the spectacular cars in the rally will be on display in the adjacent parking lot of Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar.

Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville. Through Saturday, June 23. $70-$15. 800745-3000, MoheganSun.com

Mohegan Sun / Contributed photo The 3rd annual Barrett-Jackson auction week will take place at Mohegan Sun in a new venue through June 23.