The Nugget Casino Resort will be taking over Victorian Square this weekend with Southern food and bluegrass/country/zydeco vibes in its inaugural Southern Fare on the Square event.
Much like The Big Easy event that the old Silver Club used to host, the Nugget is celebrating good hearty food and upbeat, danceable music in Victorian Square with bands including the St. Gabriel’s Celestial Brass Band, Boogaloo Zydeco, Lisa Haley & The Zydecats, local favorites Mumbo Gumbo, and ZZ Tush (a ZZ Top tribute band).
The major headliner will be rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis performing in the Nugget Ballroom on Saturday evening (many people know him by his greatest hits “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On”).
“Jerry Lee Lewis really ties into the event- I think he was the first person inducted into the Hall of Fame. To have an iconic person of that stature playing here is exciting,” Nugget marketing director Randy Kennedy says.
The Big Easy was such a popular event for Sparks that cities in Texas and North Carolina have adopted the concept, serving New Orleans creole-style food and hosting traveling Zydeco, bluegrass, jazz, and Southern rock bands.
“It’s a little bit of bringing that back but with a Nugget twist,” adds Kennedy.
Along with a weekend full of live music, Southern Fare on the Square will be serving up Southern food specialties including jambalaya, red beans and rice with sausage, okra, alligator, po’ boy sandwiches, catfish, and more. Local favorites who recently participated in the Rib Cook-Off such as M&M’s Southern Café, BJ’s Nevada Barbeque Company, Kentucky BourbonQ, and Paleo Nick’s will also be in attendance.
“Men Wielding Fire, Tahoe Tenderloin, Big Daddy’s, Rocky Mountain BBQ…there are a lot of regulars that people will recognize,” says Kennedy. Or get your dancing shoes ready with the help of a Hurricane, sweet tea, or something from the VIP Beer Garden.
Along with the food suppliers, plenty of arts and crafts activities will be available for kids to participate in. A dedicated area located near the Fountainhouse apartments will be stocked with a pumpkin patch, pony rides, free hay rides, and more.
With the exception of Jerry Lee Lewis, all of the outdoor entertainment in Victorian Square is free during Southern Fare on the Square. Live music starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and ends at 6 p.m.
“The weather appears to be looking decent and we’re really looking forward to the event,” Kennedy says.
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