By Stephanie Powers, staff writer
Foxwoods Resort Casino is celebrating their 15th anniversary this month appropriately on February 15. The festivities will begin in the Food Court at 1:30 p.m. Tribal members, patrons, members of the media, and team members are invited to the event which will feature giveaways, speeches, along with complimentary cake and coffee, and perhaps a few surprises.
There will be 15 anniversary giveaways, which in the past have ranged from overnight hotel stays to entrance into poker tournaments.
Foxwoods president John O'Brien will be emcee for the event, with Tribal Members and Elders being invited to speak, followed by a raffle drawing and cake cutting ceremony.
"It's been an amazing fifteen years, and now we're excited to look towards the future with all the new changes, growth and partnerships that are occurring - especially right here on property with our newest development The MGM Grand being built," said John O'Brien, Foxwoods president. "I'd like to thank all of the people who have helped to make Foxwoods one of the most successful resort casinos in the world, especially the employees who every single day make this ‘the wonder of it all'.
February will be an all-star lineup for entertainment, including Howie Mandel, BB King, and a special 15th Anniversary Celebration with Don Rickles, Joe Piscopo, and Chris Bliss on Friday, Feb. 16 in the Grand Pequot Ballroom. Tickets for any of these events can be purchased at the box office.
Foxwoods Resort Casino is the largest resort casino in the world and over the past 15 years has become a model of premiere resort gaming. Starting out as a bingo hall 20 years ago, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation then expanded to open Foxwoods on Feb. 15, 1992.
Today, Foxwoods features the most gaming space, table games, and slot machines than any other gaming facility. Foxwoods also owns FDC (Foxwoods Development Company) which was recently approved to build a casino on the Philadelphia waterfront which will initially feature 3,000 slots, entertainment, restaurant and shopping options. The FDC is also currently working on other projects, such as helping to build a larger gaming resort to replace a temporary casino that has been operating since 2001 on the Pauma Reservation, which is north of San Diego, CA., and a development project in St. Croix.
2008
Framed against the sky, the lone tree on a knoll represents
Mashantucket, the "much-wooded land" where the Pequots hunted and
kept alive their identity as an independent people. Displayed on the
knoll is the sign of Robin Cassasinnamon, the Pequot’s first leader
following the 1637 massacre at Mystic Fort. The fox stands as a
reminder that the Pequots are known as "the fox people."
Pequot basketweave pattern.
A gift from the Winged Ones, feathers
carry prayers to the Great Spirit.