Grand opening celebrations for Marvel Gaming’s Trailhead Casino and Resort’s downtown opening in Wellington will continue with a community-wide block party Saturday, May 31.
    Valerie Bean, who serves as their manager of community affairs, said they have planned an area-wide festival Saturday, May 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate the grand opening of the downtown office.
    Adding to the upbeat and festive atmosphere of the event will be several inflatable attractions for adults and kids alike, from slides to an obstacle course, and Bean said she is even hoping to bring in a mechanical bull.
    The event will feature a free catered lunch from downtown’s Bake’s BBQ, live entertainment from the Howlerz — an area band who feature “southern rock with blues roots.”
    Bean said her husband, Sumner Regional Medical Center President and CEO Bob Bean, serves as the back-up drummer and will play the event.
    Bean said the event will feature attractions for all ages, and families are encouraged to attend this community-wide downtown event.
    The Wellington City Council has approved street closings for the event in front of the Trailhead Casino Resort office in the 100 block of west Lincoln.
    A rain-out location has been set for the Memorial Auditorium with West 7th street to be used for the rides and attractions.   
    Bean said this is an opportunity for the Sumner County community to meet the executives of Marvel Gaming.
    “Quite honestly, they’re such a down home group, they are very easy to visit with and very approachable,” Bean said of the Marvel Gaming team.  “And they enjoy talking about their proposed project.  They are just as excited to have it become a reality as we are, and they’re looking forward to becoming a part of this community.”
    The management team of Trailhead Casino Resort have pledged one percent of their annual revenues to Sumner County Economic Development, which amounts to $2 million annually, according to Marvel Gaming President Roger Wagner. 
    Wagner said they’re making other local commitments as well — including a commitment letter with the Building Trades Council to engage only building contractors who employ local crafts persons and work closely with local businesses to supply goods and services.
    Wagner said the economic benefits envisioned by voters when they passed the referendum last year will not be seen if a Mulvane casino is selected.
    “A Mulvane casino will mean that most of their employees will reside in Sedgwick County as will the suppliers of the casino.  Except for Mulvane, which currently enjoys organic economic growth as a bedroom community to Wichita, the rest of the communities in Sumner County are crying out for the stimulus that a Wellington-located casino will bring about,” Wagner said.