A new Hard Rock Casino set to open in Rockford, Illinois, will honor local hero Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick with a 62-foot-long replica of his Hamer Standard checkerboard guitar, reports Consequence Of Sound. The massive monument will sit outside the casino’s new permanent location, which will have its grand opening on August 29.
After operating at a temporary location for several years, Hard Rock Casino Rockford will open its new state-of-the-art location at 7801 E. State Street, near I-90. It will feature 170,000 square feet of gaming space and a 2,000-seat event venue.
Nielsen was a big supporter of the construction of a Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, and the giant replica of his famous Hamer Standard checkerboard will be on display just outside the casino’s entrance. Overall, the monument is 62 feet, 10 inches tall and 38 feet, 6 inches wide.
According to a recent press release, the highly anticipated opening of the long-awaited casino in Rockford is almost here. Hard Rock International announced that the opening date for the permanent facility of Hard Rock Casino Rockford will be Thursday, August 29, 2024, featuring a star-studded guitar smash in the Hard Rock tradition. Doors will open to the public at approximately 3 p.m.
“I want to thank the community of Rockford and the state of Illinois for welcoming Hard Rock and our unique brand of world-class entertainment to the greater region,” said Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer for Hard Rock International. “The economic impact of this casino will create hundreds of new jobs and expand entertainment options for everyone who lives near or visits Rockford. We are very excited to welcome this new property to our global portfolio of over 300 Hard Rock locations.”
Located just off the I-90 State Street exit at 7801 E. State Street in Rockford, the new casino features more than 170,000 square feet of gaming, entertainment and dining space with a diverse range of attractions, including nearly 1,300 slot machines, 50 live table games including a poker room, a state-of-the-art sportsbook, six unique restaurants and a Rock Shop featuring authentic Hard Rock merchandise and more.
“We are very proud of our team members who helped make our first Opening Act location a success, and we welcome all of the new members of the team who have worked so hard to prepare for this long-awaited day,” said Geno Iafrate, President of Hard Rock Casino Rockford. “Rockford has been building for 30 years and the wait is over. We are excited to welcome guests to our property to showcase and grow the legendary Hard Rock brand.”
One of the highlights of the new casino is the 22,000 square foot Hard Rock Live venue, which can accommodate up to 2,000 guests for concerts and performances.
(Artist rendering photo – HardRock.com)
