Atlantic City September 2017 | Here They Come: Fall Festivals, BBQ, Miss America

Contestants from across the country will compete for the 2018 Miss America crown at Boardwalk Hall Sept. 10. The pageant will be broadcast on ABC between 9 and 11 p.m. EST. Prior to the televised pageant, there will be three nights of preliminaries on Sept. 6, 7 and 8. Tickets for the pageant and all preliminaries – including packages for all four nights – can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

On Sept. 9 contestants will participate in the “Show Us Your Shoes” Parade on the Boardwalk. To purchase reserved seats in the prime viewing area at Kennedy Plaza, visit MissAmerica.org.

Alternatively, Tropicana offers a number of options to “drink and dine” while enjoying the parade.

At Olón every seat has a Boardwalk view. Gather on the patio from 5 to 8 p.m. for a cocktail party featuring Rose Cava rosé and Brut Cava, house red and white wine, and appetizer specials such as chicken empanadas, mini crab cakes, skirt steak anticuchos, mini shrimp ceviches and desserts. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.

Casa Taco & Tequila Bar, located in The Marketplace at Tropicana, just off the Boardwalk, has a beautiful outdoor dining section. With a menu ranging from tacos to fajitas, it’s perfect for sitting back in one of their long cocktail tables, sipping a margarita, and rooting on your favorite Miss America contestant. For reservations, call (609) 343-9938.

Chickie’s and Pete’s Crab House and Sports Bar, just off the casino floor and the Boardwalk, is a full-service restaurant and sports bar with outdoor seating or Boardwalk views from window seating on the second level.

Hooters is a fourth option at Tropicana, but tables are on a first come, first serve basis.

Pigskin pickings

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is offering $50,000 in prizes every week – including $10,000 in cash for the most correct picks – in its $1 Million Football Sweepstakes. In addition, 2,000 entrants each will win 20 Bonus Slot Dollars in a random drawing each week. Beginning Sept. 4 M life Rewards cardholders can choose their favorite teams in the Sunday and Monday pro football games throughout the week leading up to the first Sunday game. Enter daily for up to seven entries per week, but only one entry per day. Stop by any Pro Football Challenge kiosk located at the M life Rewards Desk and near the Gypsy Bar to participate. Details at TheBorgata.com.

Not to be outdone, Golden Nugget Atlantic City has its own version of a similar sweepstakes, the $1 Million Golden Gridiron, Sept. 5 through Dec. 31. 24K Select Club cardholders can select which team they think will win in the Sunday and Monday football games, by inserting their players card at the Fan Zone in the Main Atrium. Visit GoldenNuggetGridiron.com for details.

Water sports

The Atlantic City In-Water Powerboat Show runs Sept. 7 – 10 at the Farley State Marina. There is free self-parking. Tickets are $10 per person if purchased in advance, $15 on-site. Each ticket is good for one day only. For complete information visit ACInWaterBoatShow.com.

Something’s fishy

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9 and 10 the Atlantic City Seafood Festival takes place off the Boardwalk at South New Jersey Avenue between the Showboat Hotel and the former Revel Hotel & Casino (now called TEN). Tickets are $10 per day per person. In addition to cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, crab eating and pet costume contests, DJs, and live entertainment, enjoy tastings from many of Atlantic City’s top restaurants. Cost is between $4 and $11 depending on size and ingredients. For complete information and tickets visit ACSeafoodFest.com.

Smokin’ hot 

From noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 16 and 17 enjoy award-winning barbeque from food vendors around the United States at Smoke On The Water, the New Jersey state barbeque championship, sponsored by Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Brand. The event takes place next to the Farley State Marina in the A-Lot. Admission is $5 per person.

Brew ha ha 

Resorts Casino Hotel hosts its Fifth Annual Craft Beerfest Sept. 16 beginning at 4 p.m. in the ballroom. The event will feature more than 65 different craft beers from around the country, and feature local and regional breweries, including Manayunk Brewery, Dogfish Head, Victory, Troegs, Yards, Beach Haus, and Brooklyn & Tuckahoe Brewing Company. Tickets are $30 and guests receive a complimentary souvenir sampling glass. Entertainment will be provided by Weird Science, and an array of classic “beer food” favorites will be available for purchase.
If that’s not enough to satisfy you, from 8 to 11 p.m. sample more than 99 varieties of seasonal craft beers from more than 30 different breweries at Golden Nugget’s Beer Festival 2017. Beers will be paired with chef-inspired appetizers and there will be live entertainment. Tickets are $59. A VIP ticket for early admission at 7 is $69. For tickets to each event, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Beatlemania

The Bay Atlantic Symphony will present “Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute To The Beatles” Sept. 16 at the Borgata. VIP tickets are $175 and include a pre-concert dinner, VIP theater seating, and post-concert cocktail reception with the symphony’s music director and guest artists. Tickets for the concert only are $60. To purchase tickets, call the Borgata Box Office at (866) 900-4849. For more information visit BayAtlanticSymphony.org.

Keep on truckin’

The Garden State Country Music and Food Truck Festival takes place Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at Bader Airfield. This festival is the only multi-day festival in the Tri-State area bringing together nationally headlining country music artists and more than 40 of the area’s top food trucks. Covering nearly 50 acres in the heart of Atlantic City just minutes away from the Boardwalk, the festival will have three distinct area; Live Entertainment, Food Truck Midway and the MarketPlace. For complete information or to purchase tickets, visit GardenStateFestival.com.

Here are other “insider” tips about what’s happening in Atlantic City’s casinos during September:

Bally’s Atlantic City

Promotions
Hit the road a winner at the Bally’s Summer Cruisin’ Giveaway where you could win one of three 2017 Jeep Wranglers or $25,000 cash. Receive one entry for every 25 tier credits earned. Play every Tuesday to increase your odds with 5X earned entries. If you haven’t done so already, download the play by Total Rewards app to accept the Summer Cruisin’ 100 Bonus Entries offer on Sept. 1. Finale drawing is Sept. 2. Details at the Total Rewards Center.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Promotions
Win a Cadillac XT5 Sept. 3. One winner at 2, 6 and 10 p.m. Insert your M life Rewards card into any slot machine or open a table games rating from noon to 9:30 p.m.
10X Slot Dollars from noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 4
777 Bonus Slot Dollars Every Seven Minutes (Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28)
Pageant Sweepstakes Sept. 10 – Insert your M life Rewards card into any slot machine or open a table games rating from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for your chance to win a Borgata Spa Retreat Package, cash or Bonus Slot Dollars. Spa Retreat Package includes a $500 Spa credit, $200 Express Comps, $500 Overnight Stay, $300 dining credit and $1,000 cash. Drawings hourly at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 p.m. First place winners receive the Spa Retreat Package, second place, $2,000 cash, third place, $1,500 cash, fourth place, $1,000 cash, and fifth through 10th places, 500 Bonus Slot Dollars.
Details at the M life Rewards Center.

Entertainment
Borgata Comedy Club (check for dates in September), Gabriel Iglesias (Sept. 1 – sold out), Sting (Sept. 3), The Burlesque Show (Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28), Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Sept. 15), Bay Atlantic Symphony (Sept. 16), Jim Jefferies (Sept. 30). For tickets visit TheBorgata.com or call (866) 900-4TIX (4849).

Caesars Atlantic City

Entertainment
Chris Botti (Sept. 15), Luis Fonsi (Sept. 30). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Golden Nugget Atlantic City

Promotions
Win a 2017 Maserati at 6 p.m. Sept. 3. Earn one entry for every 25 tier credits by playing with your 24K Select card at any slot machine or table game through Sept. 3.
1$10,000 Bingo Bonanza every Thursday in September at 2 and 7 p.m. in The Grand. Free entry for all Elite and Chairman cardholders. All others must earn at least 20 tier credits that day for the player and one guest
$1,000 Slot Tournament every Thursday in September at 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Free entry into all five sessions for 24K Select cardholders.
Win $500 in free play every 15 minutes in the $15,000 Free Play Hot Seat from noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 23. Eligible players must have their 24K Select card activated at any slot machine.
For details on all promotions, visit the 24K Select Club.
Free self-parking continues.

Entertainment
Paul Anka (Sept. 23), Brian Wilson (Sept. 30). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Harrah’s Resort

Promotions
Win a share of $250,000 in cash and free play prizes during the Summer of Jackpots giveaway. Earn entries daily through to the Grand Finale Sept. 9. Receive one free entry daily by swiping at a designated Promotional Kiosk and one additional entry for every 25 tier credits earned at Harrah’s Resort. Plus, play every Tuesday to earn 5X entries.

Entertainment
Firefall (Sept. 7), Andrew Dice Clay (Sept. 9), Player (Sept. 14), Ambrosia (Sept. 21), Arsenio Hall (Sept. 23), Orleans (Sept. 28). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or call (800) 736-1420.

Resorts Casino Hotel

Promotions
Play daily through Sept. 3 to win $2 million in Resorts $2 million Flip Flop Fever. Star cardholders can play once each day for free and get a second chance after earning five tier points.
Guess the number of sea shells in a container on the casino floor and win $500 in slot cash. Enter every day through Sept. 4. The 10 players closest to the actual number of sea shells without going over will win $500 in slot cash.
$35,000 Jackpot Sweepstakes – Earn one entry for every taxable jackpot paid through Aug. 31. Drop your entry tickets in the drum on Sept. 30 to be entered into the sweepstakes. One entrant will win $1,000 in slot cash every 10 minutes from 6 to 10 p.m. Grand prize drawing for $10,000 cash will be at 10:15 p.m.

Entertainment
Jeffrey Osborne (Sept. 9). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or the Resorts Box Office, or call (800) 745-3000.

Tropicana Atlantic City

Entertainment
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus may be history, but Nik Wallenda’s Zirkus II could be the next best thing. You won’t see any live animal acts, but Zirkus is best described as “a thrilling variety show” starring celebrated wire walker Nik Wallenda and an international troupe of circus performers. It’s also great for families. Zirkus will play select dates – matinees and evening performances – through Sept. 4 in the Tropicana Showroom. Tickets (plus taxes and fees) are $30 for adults and $15 for children 16 and younger. Visit the Tropicana Box Office or Ticketmaster.com, or call toll-free (800) 745-3000.

Fireworks continue every Saturday through Sept. 9 at 10 p.m.

Primal Men – Male Revue (every Friday and Saturday at Boogie Nights), Jefferson Starship (Sept. 9), Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat 60 (Sept. 15), Toto and Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo (Sept. 16), Rick Springfield (Sept. 23). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, call (800) 745-3000 or check with the Tropicana Box Office.
Another entertainment option at Tropicana is Atlantic City’s only IMAX® Theatre. “Great White Shark 3D” runs through Dec. 31. For show times and tickets, visit Tropicana.net/Entertainment/IMAX-Theatre/. Tickets can be purchased at the IMAX Box Office, through Ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

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Recreational gambler Darryl D. McEwen is publisher of the Seven Stars Insider – both the website (www.SevenStarsInsider.com) and the monthly newsletter. For a free subscription to the newsletter, join the mailing list at Seven Stars Insider and tell him how you heard about it. You also can download the newsletter from the website where he frequently updates news about Caesars Entertainment and Total Rewards under “Latest News” on the home page. In addition, be sure to follow @7StarsInsider on Twitter.

Darryl also writes a bi-weekly column, Mr. AC Casino, for the Atlantic City Weekly. A former professional journalist, based in Wilmington, Delaware, Darryl is president of his own consulting firm that manages several small national and international trade associations, and provides public relations and fundraising services for a number of charitable organizations.