The Jackson brothers were among a number of speakers at the grand opening celebration of the new $300 million Hard Rock Northern Indiana Casino in Gary on Friday.
GARY â The show that never ends officially has begun.
The Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana opened its doors to the public Friday, more than 20 years after former state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, first proposed land-based gaming in the Steel City, and some 16 months after construction started adjacent to eastbound Interstate 80/94 at the Burr Street exit.
In an only-at-Hard Rock touch, the opening was marked by some two dozen casino officials, local dignitaries, and musicians smashing logo-emblazoned guitars in front of a wall of ground sparkler fireworks with Fall Out Boy s Light Em Up booming on the sound system.
Slow motion of the Hard Rock Casino guitar smash
A small crowd gathered Thursday outside the wrought iron fence surrounding the Jackson family home in Gary as local dignitaries joined Marlon and Tito Jackson and State Sen. Eddie Melton to unveil wayfinding signs to the property.
John G. Brokopp
Matt Schuffert has had many experiences during his career as a casino executive, but one that has eluded him is opening up a property.
He can scratch that one off his bucket list on Friday.
Hard Rock Casino President Matt Schuffert gives Times Reporter Dan Carden a guided tour of the new Hard Rock Northern Indiana a week before opening. Connor Burge, The Times
Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, will preside over the grand opening of the first land-based casino in the Hoosier State and the crown jewel of the City of Garyâs business model.