With all the controversy swirling around it, this year’s Miss America Pageant, er, Competition, should be one for the record books. The preliminary events take place September 5th to 7th and the finals, September 9th at Boardwalk Hall, while the “Show Us Your Shoes Parade” kicks off Sept. 8 on the Boardwalk. For details, visit MissAmerica.org.

Not to be outdone, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa once again will host the Miss’d America Pageant September 22nd. Carson Kressley returns as master of ceremonies. The Miss’d America Pageant started in 1994 at a local Atlantic City club and was created as a spoof of Miss America to raise funds for a local charity. It took place annually on the night after – the joke being that the drag performers “missed” getting into the real pageant. It ended in 2005, was absent from Atlantic City for nearly five years, made its return in 2010, and has grown larger and more spectacular every year since. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance. The Alliance then distributes the funds to various LGBTQ and LGBTQ supportive charities. Since its inception, the pageant has donated more than $300,500.

For a different type of fundraiser at Borgata, check out the Bay Atlantic City Symphony’s 2018 Gala: “An Evening With Jason Alexander.”

Look, up in the sky!

No, the airshow is over, but Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. is your last chance to catch the fireworks at Tropicana Atlantic City. The multimedia sound and light show continues every evening.

Hops to it

Beer-lovers have two opportunities this month to sample craft beers:

Resorts Casino Hotel will present the Sixth Annual Craft Beerfest from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15 in its ballroom. Specializing in unique, rare and local craft beers, Beerfest will feature more than 70 signature craft beers from around the country. Enjoy live entertainment by Weird Science, a well as an assortment of classic “beer food” favorites like $5 crabby fries, $8 pretzel cheesesteaks and $9 shaved prime rib sandwiches! Tickets are $30 through Ticketmaster or at the Resorts Box Office.

Two weeks later on Sept. 29 Golden Nugget Atlantic City will host its Seventh Annual Craft Beer Tasting. Sample more than 99 varieties of seasonal craft beers from 30+ different breweries along with chef-inspired appetizers and entertainment by Seven Stone. Tickets are $69 for early admission at 7 p.m. and $59 for admission at 8 p.m. Visit Ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets.The event ends at 11 p.m. Tickets include a souvenir glass and more than $75 worth of Golden Nugget offers. Limited to guests 21 years and older.

Rounding out this month’s entertainment options:

Pride Bingo, hosted by Trixie Mattel, Sept. 1 at the Borgata.
Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show, Sept. 6 to 9 at the Farley State Marina.
Atlantic City Seafood Festival, Sept. 8 and 9 at Bader Field.
Professional Bull Rider Atlantic City Invitational, Sept. 15 and 16 at Boardwalk Hall.

Looking ahead:

Oct. 2: Janet Jackson, Hard Rock
Oct. 6: Bill Maher, Caesars
Oct. 6: Melissa Etheridge, Tropicana
Oct. 6: A Bronx Tale, Golden Nugget
Oct. 6: 2 Cellos, Borgata
Oct. 7: Modest Mouse, Borgata
Oct. 12: Brett Eldredge, Hard Rock
Oct. 12 to 14: Bear Grylls Survival Challenge, Boardwalk Hall
Oct. 12 and 13: Lewis Black, Borgata
Oct. 13: Jay Leno, Tropicana
Oct. 13: So You Think You Can Dance Live! 2018, Ocean Resort
Oct. 13: Diana Krall, Caesars
Oct. 13: Steely Dan, Hard Rock
Oct. 13: Martin Nievera, Golden Nugget
Oct. 13: Beer & Whiskey Festival, Tropicana
Oct. 19 and 20: Kid Rock, Hard Rock
Oct. 19: Bill Burr, Borgata
Oct. 19: Vic DiBitetto, Borgata
Oct. 19: Menopause The Musical, Harrah’s
Oct. 20: The Jersey Shore Medium, Linda Shields, Tropicana
Oct. 20: The Tenors, Borgata
Oct. 20: Engelbert Humperdinck, Resorts
Oct. 20: American Pop, featuring The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams & The Box Tops, Golden Nugget
Oct. 25: Old Dominion’s Happy Endings World Tour, Hard Rock
Oct. 25: Craig Gass, Hard Rock
Oct. 26: Garbage, Borgata
Oct. 26: Friday Night Live! with The No Vacancy Orchestra, Ocean Resort
Oct. 27: Jim Jefferies, Borgata
Oct. 27: The Amazing Kreskin, Golden Nugget
Oct. 27: Tesla, Harrah’s
Oct. 30 to Nov. 4: Rock of Ages, Hard Rock

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

Bally’s Atlantic City

Promotions
2X Tier Credits – Earn double tier credits on all play at Bally’s, Caesars and Harrah’s – up to a maximum of 10,000 – through Sept. 30. The promotion began Aug. 1.

2018 Lincoln MKZ Giveaway – Earn entries through Sept. 2 (7X entries Sept. 1 and 10X entries Sept. 2). Activate entries from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.; drawing at 2 p.m. at the Sweepstakes Center.

Experience The Empire – Win your share of more than $10,000 in free play and a Qualifier Spot for a chance to win one of eight VIP experiences. Earn entries each drawing day – Sept. 14, 21 and 28 (1 for every 25 tier credits). Seven Stars cardholders receive seven free entries, Diamond cardholders receive five, Platinum cardholders receive three, and Gold cardholders receive one, Drawings are at 10 p.m. in the Sweepstakes Center.

Visit the Total Rewards Center for details on all promotions.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Promotions
Earn 5X Slot Dollars playing with your Mlife Rewards card from 6 a.m. Sept. 7 to 5:59 a.m. Sept. 10.

Every seven minutes from noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 9 and 10 Borgata will award 777 Bonus Slot Dollars. Players need to insert their Mlife Rewards card into any slot machine or open any table games rating from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a chance to win.

Every 15 minutes from noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 22 Borgata will award 1,500 Bonus Slot Dollars. Players need to insert their Mlife Rewards card into any slot machine or open any table games rating from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a chance to win.

Details on all promotions are available at the Mlife Rewards Center.

Entertainment and Events
Borgata Comedy Club (check for dates in September), Ken Jeong (Sept. 1), Earth, Wind & Fire (Sept. 2), Terry Fator (Sept. 7), Felipe Esparza (Sept. 7), Jo Koy (Sept. 15), Sting & Shaggy (Sept. 21), Boyce Avenue (Sept. 21), Jay Mohr (Sept. 22). For tickets visit TheBorgata.com or call (866) 900-4TIX (4849).

Caesars Atlantic City

Promotions
2X Tier Credits – Earn double tier credits on all play at Caesars, Bally’s and Harrah’s – up to a maximum of 10,000 – through Sept. 30. The promotion began Aug. 1.

2018 Lincoln MKX Giveaway – Earn entries through Sept. 2 (7X entries Sept. 1 and 10X entries Sept. 2). Activate entries from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; drawing at 4 p.m. in the hotel lobby.

Experience The Empire – Win your share of more than $10,000 in free play and a Qualifier Spot for a chance to win one of eight VIP experiences. Earn entries each drawing day – Sept. 14, 21 and 28 (1 for every 25 tier credits). Seven Stars cardholders receive seven free entries, Diamond cardholders receive five, Platinum cardholders receive three, and Gold cardholders receive one, Drawings are at 10 p.m. in the hotel lobby.

Visit the Total Rewards Center for details on all promotions.

Entertainment and Events
Darci Lynne and Friends Live (Sept. 22). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Golden Nugget Atlantic City

Promotions
Through 5:59 p.m. Sept. 2 get one entry for every 25 base tier credits earned for a chance to win a 2018 Porsche Panamera and free play. Drawing is at 6 p.m. Sept. 2.

$10,000 Bingo Bonanza Sept. 3, 17 and 24 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

Every Tuesday at noon through noon on Sunday, 24K Select Club cardholders can choose the teams they think will win the Sunday and Monday games. Enter at the Fan Zone in the Main Atrium, one entry per day, for a total of six entries per week, excluding Mondays. Best scored entry for the week will be counted. Participants can win two ways each week: The player or players with the most correct picks will win a share of $5,000. Second and third place winners receive $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. In addition, there will be a drawing where 150 participants randomly will be selected to win $50 in free play. Correctly pick the winner of 193 or more games during the season and win $1 million. Promotion ends Dec. 30.

For details on all promotions, visit the 24K Select Club or GoldenNugget.com.

Free self-parking continues.

Entertainment and Events
Legacy Fighting Alliance (Sept. 14), The Stylistics (Sept. 15), Seventh Annual Craft Beer Tasting (Sept. 29). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Promotions
Sign up for Wild Card Rewards card to be entered to win a 2018 Tesla Model S. Earn additional entries by playing your favorite slots and table games. Drawing will be held at 11 p.m. Sept. 1. Must activate entries on Sept. 1 and be present to win. Details at the Wild Card Services Desk.

Entertainment and Events
Motor City Live – A Motown Tribute (Sept. 2, 9, 16), Amy Schumer & Friends, (Sept. 1), The Jacksons (Sept. 1), Uncle Kracker (Sept. 7), Jim Florentine (Sept. 7), Dane Cook (Sept. 7), Thompson Square (Sept. 14), Blink 182 (Sept. 21), Cole Swindell (Sept. 22), RBRM (Sept. 23), Christina Aguilara: The Liberation Tour (Sept. 28), Jimmy Pardo (Sept. 28), Maxwell (Sept, 29). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Harrah’s Resort

Promotions
2X Tier Credits – Earn double tier credits on all play at Harrah’s, Caesars and Bally’s – up to a maximum of 10,000 – through Sept. 30. The promotion began Aug. 1.

2018 Lincoln MKZ Giveaway – Earn entries through Sept. 2 (7X entries Sept. 1 and 10X entries Sept. 2). Activate entries from noon to 5:45 p.m.; drawing at 6 p.m. in the hotel lobby.

There’s $250,000 in prizes at stake in Harrah’s Summer of Jackpots promotion through the final drawing day, Sept. 8. Receive one daily entry, one free entry upon activation and earn one entry for every 25 tier credits throughout the promotional period. Receive 5X entries on Sept 5.

Experience The Empire – Win your share of more than $10,000 in free play and a Qualifier Spot for a chance to win one of eight VIP experiences. Earn entries each drawing day – Sept. 14, 21 and 28 (1 for every 25 tier credits). Seven Stars cardholders receive seven free entries, Diamond cardholders receive five, Platinum cardholders receive three, and Gold cardholders receive one, Drawings at 10 p.m. in the hotel lobby.

Visit the Total Rewards Center for details on all promotions.

Entertainment and Events
Legends In Concert (through Sept. 2, select dates), Queen Extravaganza (Sept. 22). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or call (800) 736-1420.

Ocean Resort Casino

Promotions
Win your share of more than $250,000 in cash and prizes at Ocean Resort Casino’s Grand Opening $250,000 Giveaway. The grand prize drawing will be held in Ovation Hall at 3 p.m. Sept. 3. Receive one entry for every three comp dollars earned by playing slots and table games through Sept. 2 – 3X entries every Sunday in August. Activate earned entries at any Ocean Premier Kiosk on Sept. 3. Must be present to win.

Ocean Premier cardholders can earn 6X tier multipliers through Sept. 30, and 2X comps. For details, restrictions and valid dates visit the Ocean Premier players club desk.

Free self-parking continues through Sept. 3.

Entertainment and Events
Wanda Sykes (Sept. 8). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Resorts Casino Hotel

Promotions
Between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Sept. 2 in the Margaritaville Lobby at Resorts Casino Hotel get one free pull on Atlantic City’s first slot machine for a chance to win up to $2,500 in slot cash. Visit the Promotions Booth for details.

Win two show tickets, two buffets and a room at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Drawing will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 2. Through 5:45 p.m. Sept. 2 Star cardholders will get five entries for every tier point they earn. On drawing date guests will earn 10 entries.

Premiere cardholders who earn two tier points during a gaming day park free in the self-park garage at Resorts. Check any promotional kiosk to confirm the points and present a valid Star card at the exit.

2018 Fiat 124 Guaranteed Sweepstakes. Earn entries – one for every tier point earned – through 3:55 p.m. Oct. 28. Drawing at 4 p.m. Oct. 28.

$4,000 Sweepstakes, Sept. 1 – Win a VIP ride on The Wheel at Steel Pier, plus a chance to win up to $4,000 in slot cash. Earn one entry for each tier point.

$75,000 Point Challenge – The top 100 tier point earners will receive a share of $75,000 in bonuses on Sept, 29. First place prize is $10,000.

$35,000 Jackpot Sweepstakes, Oct. 27. Earn one entry for every taxable hand-paid jackpot through Sept. 30.

Visit the Promotions Booth for details on all sweepstakes, other giveaways and events

Entertainment and Events
Flip Orley comic/hypnotist (Sept. 1), Neil Sedaka (Sept. 1), Karen Grainger (Sept. 4, 5, 9, 11, 13, 17, 20, 24, 26 and 30). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, the Resorts Box Office, or call (800) 745-3000.

Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. Resorts celebrates the opening of its Sports Book with a meet and greet with former Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick.

Tropicana Atlantic City

Promotions
With daily drawings and the chance to win $1 million, Tropicana has brought back its Winning Ticket game. Through Sept. 9, Trop Advantage cardholders will receive one free ticket through any comp machine. Players can choose their own numbers or select a quick pick option. Five drawings will be held daily, with an extra 11 p.m. drawing on Fridays and Saturdays.

Entertainment and Events
Primal Men Male Revue (every Saturday at Boogie Nights), Magique Grand Illusions (select dates through Sept. 9), Alanis Morissette (Sept. 7), A Paranormal Evening with Alice Cooper (Sept. 8), Jefferson Starship (Sept. 15), Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat 65 (Sept. 21), Diva2Diva2 (Sept. 23), Gypsy Kings (Sept. 29). 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. Moviegoers receive a discounted parking rate of $5 to park in the enclosed Tropicana self-park garage, but first must obtain a parking voucher from the IMAX Box Office at the time of ticket purchase.

“Great Barrier Reef 3D” runs through Dec. 31, Marvel Studios 10th Anniversary Film Festival through Sept. 6, “The Nun: The IMAX Experience” runs Sept. 6 to 13, “The Predator: The IMAX Experience” runs Sept. 13 to 20. 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.