03/14/2003
Barden Hosts Sold Out Anniversary Celebration

Gary, Ind., 3/14/03  -  Don H. Barden, Majestic Star Casino owner and the first African American to own a national casino company recently hosted a week long anniversary celebration at his Fitzgeralds Casino Hotel in Las Vegas.

Fitzgeralds celebrated its first year under new ownership, Black History Month and Valentine's weekend. The week's festivities featured: museum exhibits including the National Civil Rights Museum of Memphis, Tenn., the Charles A. Wright Museum of Detroit, Mich., 100-Plus-One Before Motown and Beyond Celebrating American Black Music; a movie screening of Standing in the Shadows of Motown hosted by former Motown recording legend Martha Reeves; a children's educational celebration featuring actress Kim Fields as the mistress of ceremonies; and a Taste of Soul food celebration on Fremont Street showcasing 10 local African American restaurants cooking their favorite cuisine while local entertainment played on the Fremont Street stage.

Celebrities who attended the week's events included: legendary Nancy Wilson (entertainer), Kim Fields (actress), Glynn Turman (actor), Jackee' Harry (actress), Rolanda Watts (former talkshow host), Kiki Shepard (Apollo host), Loretta Devine (actress), Dan Martin (actor), Ella Joyce (actress), Rocky Carroll (actor), Paul Schultze (actor) Dozier Holland Dozier (entertainers), Carl Lewis (Olympic athlete), and Emanuel Steward (boxing trainer).

The week also included two private sold out concerts featuring Martha Reeves, the Contours, the Dramatics and The Drifters. In honor of the celebration Fitzgeralds Casino was presented a check to the Academy of African American Studies as well as the United Negro College Fund.

Fitzgeralds thanks its corporate partners American Airlines, Mercantile Bank, Sara Lee, Desert Inn Toyota of Las Vegas, Neonopolis/Crown Theatres and Brady Industries.