Wild Rose Jefferson will kick off this weekend’s three-day grand opening celebration with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday at 6 pm. The event will feature remarks from state and local officials including Gov. Terry Branstad, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission chairman Jeff Lamberti.
“Working with the people of Greene County this past two-and-a-half years has been truly wonderful,” said Gary Kirke, founder and chairman of Wild Rose. “With broad-based support, many folks came together and really put their shoulders to the wheel. This celebration is to recognize all the people who worked so hard to bring this $40 million project to completion.”
Festivities begin at 10 am on Friday and continue through Sunday, Aug. 9. Other highlights this weekend include:
- Two sold out performances by country music legend and pop crossover icon Kenny Rogers.
- Cash drawings.
- The first 200 people in attendance at the grand opening will receive a custom-minted commemorative Wild Rose token made of 99.9% fine silver.
Although this weekend marks the official grand opening, Wild Rose opened the casino floor on July 13.
“We had nearly 13,000 visitors that first week of the ‘soft opening’ of the casino and paid out more than $378,000 in jackpots since July 13,” said Mike Couch, general manager.
Cobblestone Hotel & Suites will open its 73-room hotel Friday with a 4:30 pm ribbon cutting. Tours of rooms will be available and drawings for prizes will be held.
