WILKES-BARRE TWP. — After 25 years, the announcement of several events was made on Thursday to celebrate what Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski described as “this excellent facility” despite earlier doubts.
The venue known as the Mohegan Sun Arena for the past 15 years will now be called the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the 8,300-seat arena, officials revealed a new anniversary logo.
Tony Carlucci, president and general manager of Mohegan Pennsylvania, stated that the new name “better aligns with the recent brand refresh of Mohegan Pennsylvania and its parent company, now named simply as Mohegan.”
Mohegan Pennsylvania has been the naming rights partner of the arena since 2009. The change in name will result in a rebranding of arena assets, with new signage set to be installed this summer.
Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, briefly mentioned the difficulties in getting the arena constructed after initial setbacks.
“And the first time around, it failed,” Pashinski said. “But through it all, we were able to build this magnificent facility that has significantly improved the quality of life for Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
At a news conference on Thursday in the concourse of the arena, officials from Wilkes-Barre Township and the arena announced community-oriented celebrations that will be held in honor of their respective milestone anniversaries.
Wilkes-Barre Township, established in 1774, is commemorating its 250th anniversary this year.
Wilkes-Barre Township Mayor Carl Kuren, who couldn't attend the news conference, had revealed the formation of a committee to oversee a special 250th-anniversary celebration this summer.
Standing in for Mayor Kuren was township Police Chief Will Clark, who disclosed that a parade leading township residents and dignitaries to the Mohegan Sun Arena will kick off the festivities on Saturday, Aug. 24, followed by a full schedule of celebratory events, including a monument dedication.
Clark announced that the semiquincentennial celebration, featuring food, games, live music, and fireworks, will take place outdoors, spread throughout the parking areas of the arena. Entry will be free of charge for residents and visitors who wish to attend the community celebration.
“We’re very excited to partner with the Mohegan Sun Arena, the best place to throw a party right here in our own backyard,” Kuren said in a news release.
Arena celebration scheduled for Sept. 21
In commemoration of 25 years of live entertainment in northeastern Pennsylvania, officials from the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority and ASM Global, managing entities of the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, announced a community celebration concert at the venue on Sept. 21.
Donna Cupinski, board chair for the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, handed out captain’s hats to members of the anniversary committee and then revealed “Sailing Through Time,” the 25th-anniversary community celebration that will feature the nautical-suited and captain’s-hat-clad band Yachtley Crew.
Cupinski stated that the yacht rock band started in southern California and quickly became popular after being signed by the late Jimmy Buffett.
Pashinski has been involved with the arena since it opened, working as a parking attendant before entering office or being inducted into the Luzerne County Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame. His band, Eddie Day and TNT, will also be performing at both the arena and township events.
“The arena in its current form would not have been possible without the champions who served before us,” said Cupinski. “It required a huge amount of hard work and dedication from many people to move us from the initial ‘Arena YES’ campaign to our storied reputation as a pillar of live entertainment within Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
Arena General Manager Stephen Poremba has been with the arena for more than 20 years.
“We are extremely grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from our allies, partners, and guests over the past 25 years,” said Poremba. “This event is not only a celebration of our milestone anniversary but also a way to show appreciation for the supportive guests and partners that have helped us get this far.”
Ticket information
Tickets for the Sept. 21 event start at $25 and are available on Ticketmaster.com and in-person at the venue’s NBT Bank Box Office.
No tickets are required to attend Wilkes-Barre Township’s anniversary celebration at the arena.
John Jablowski, representing M&T Bank, said the arena is one of the most important features of the region and its success is evident by the attendance of more than 15 million fans at nearly 1,000 shows since the venue opened.
“The arena has had a tremendously positive impact on the region,” Jablowski said.
Paul T. Rushton, Managing Partner at Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald, L.L.P., the arena has grown over the past 25 years into a thriving, community-based venue featuring a wide range of events.
“Given its impact on our community, it is hard to imagine this area without the arena,” Rushton said.
Stephen Barrouk and Attorney Murray Ufberg attended the news conference — both were part of the original committee that had the vision of bringing the arena to the area. Barrouk was President/CEO of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, and Ufberg was with Rosenn Jenkins and Greenwald.
“We began with a $25,0090 feasibility study in 1989,” Barrouk said. “The study found that the project had a fairly favorable outlook. Thanks to a lot of community leaders, we were able to get the project done. We wanted to establish something that would promote the Wilkes-Barre area and now everybody knows where Wilkes-Barre is.”
Ufberg said he feels a great sense of pride in what the community has accomplished with the arena.
“And personally, as a person who has been involved since the first day of planning, I feel a great sense of accomplishment for what the arena has meant to our community.”
