There was no shortage of musical star power at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary.
A ceremonial guitar smashing featuring Tito and Marlon Jackson, Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray and Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy kicked off the May 14 festivities. Musicians Kym Mazelle, Crystal Taliefero and Deniece Williams, all Gary natives, also participated.
Leading the smash were Hard Rock International COO Jon Lucas; Chairman Marcellus Osceola of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Matt Schuffert president, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.
The $300 million casino and entertainment destination opened to the public at 5 p.m. on May 14. The 200,000-square foot entertainment complex, the first phase of the development, includes a massive gaming space, five food venues an on-site sportsbook, a retail shop, and a 1,954-seat Hard Rock Live performance venue.
Phase two of the project includes the addition of a 200-plus-room hotel and a multi-level parking garage.
There are more than 170 pieces of music memorabilia on display inside the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana representing a wide range of genres.
About 600 employees from the Majestic Star Casino in Gary were expected to transfer to the Hard Rock. It was projected the new casino would hire another 800 people in assorted roles.
