Book a Room
Tunica Casino Reservations
Bally's Casino - $35 *
Grand Casino Terrace -$49*
Sheraton Casino $69*
Fitzgerald's - $29*
Gold Strike - $49*
Resorts Tunica - $79*
Sam's Town - $56
* Listed are starting ranges
Tunica Motel Reservations
Best Western - $59
Cottage Inn - $79
Delta Plantation Inn - $79
Americas Best Value Inn - $79
Key West Inn - $45*
· Discount Hotel Reservations
·Non Casino Lodging
·Book a Room Anywhere
·Airline Rates
· Rent a Car
· Cruises
· Condos
· Vacations · Packages
· Hot Deals · Group Rates
· Rebates · Vegas
· Casino Reservations By City And State
Travel Info
· First Time to Tunica?
· Travel
· Book a Room in Tunica
· Driving Directions
· Mileage Chart
· Travel
· Tunica Area Maps
· RV Parks
· Local Airport Tunica
· Flying Into Memphis
▪ FAQ
▪ Casino Hotel Trip Tips
· Tunica Weather
▪ Click on - Road Trips
Get in the car and hit the road this weekend! With a Road Trips search, you can find great destinations and fantastic deals just a short drive from where you are.
Harrah's Entertainment,
Wayne Newton, and Friends
Give from the Heart
by Jen Cuthbertson
Sunday afternoon, December 18th, Grand Tunica was buzzing with celebrities, not just one, two, but as we say in the South "a whole mess of 'em".
They were at Grand Casino in Tunica Resorts for the Hurricane Heroes Salute, a benefit for Mississippi's First Responders. I was lucky to be invited to the Press Conference held at the Grand Convention Center before the performance. We all read about the celebrities and have followed most of them for years and years. I'm going to tell you about my experience for the afternoon, and try to stay away from a "canned report".
Wayne Newton, looking dashing as ever, spoke from the podium expressing his concern for the Mississippi Gulf Coast getting the short end of the stick as far as the media coverage was concerned during the Hurricane’s aftermath. He went on to tell the story about a little girl standing on the beach surrounded by hundreds of beached star fish. Someone told her she could never save them all as she threw one by one back into the water. As she reached down to pick up the next starfish and gently toss it back into the salty water she looked up and said. “I know, but I did make a difference for that one”.
The devastation is so massive on the Gulf Coast and will take years to rebuild. Wayne Newton’s feelings and intentions are the same as the little girl. He may not be able “to fix” the aftermath but will make a difference.
Today was the first day Wayne Newton has had off in 3 months and here he is doing a benefit, same as with some of the other stars.
When I had a few moments with Wayne Newton later I thanked him for taking a break out of his busy life to help others by lending his talents and time. Wayne gave me a very emotional and strong felt reply, “I just wished the media had zoomed in more on the actual damage along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It angers me to see how the media overlooked the devastation in Mississippi; I hope to make it better. It was a necessity that I be here.” (Ladies this guy holds your hand when he is talking to you, sigh) While Wayne is telling me about his visit to the Gulf the night before I hear this little voice saying “Daddy” “Daddy”. Of course the song Wayne has sung for years Daddy Don’t you walk so fast…kept going thru my head. As I looked down there stands this gorgeous blue eyed little girl about 4 years old tugging at her Daddy’s pant leg (Wayne). He stops gives her enough attention to satisfy her, then she turns to her Mommy and is happy.
Many of you have seen Wayne Newton on stage in Vegas and on TV and I am sure you were entertained and impressed. As a person I was impressed by his caring heart, his sense of humor, his ability to pull people together for a cause, and as a Daddy with a sparkle in his eyes when he talks with his daughter. Oh and did you know he has performed 4 USO International tours this year alone!
In the audience in front of the podium were very unselfish stars and celebrities who had given of their time and talents to raise funds and come to Grand Tunica to help the Mississippi First Responders. Bo Derek, Sinbad, Brittany Murphy, Neil McCoy, and at another table was Chris Issack. Paul Rodriquez was around somewhere but didn’t see him. This meeting was just minutes before the performance and some were scuffling to go get ready.
I would not have known Bo Derek if she had walked up and hit me with a stick. All these years later and she is even a better 10 than she was back when. 2006 will bring Bo her 50th birthday and the years have been very kind to her. Bo is a very unselfish and giving person and very supportive to the benefit.
Neil McCoy must always be happy, he has pep in his step and could be caught singing Christmas Songs as he was walking around. Neil did say he was happy to be inside today, as last night he did an outdoor concert in Alabama and he swore it was snowing and 30 degrees. He struck me as a fun loving good ole boy.
Chris Issack had a darling little dog with hair in his eyes tucked away in a special carrier he was toting over his shoulder. I didn’t get a chance to speak with him, but wished I had.
Sinbad! He owns the room! When Sinbad walked in heads turned. He quietly took a seat by Brittany Murphy and she quickly caught him up to date as he was a tad bit late. When the room turned informal Sinbad was swamped with people wanting to say Hello and shake his hand. My encounter was too brief. Amazing man.
Why the First Responders? Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour explained these are the men and women who stay behind to lend help to the ones in need. They are the first ones on the scene after a storm or tragedy. During Katrina for example in Waveland there were 26 who stayed behind and sought shelter in the Waveland Police Dept. Katrina destroyed the Police Dept. The brave men and women had risked their life at a chance to help someone else. These are men and women who performed extra ordinary acts of courage.
Wayne Newton referred to Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Anthony Sanfilippo, Central Division President for Harrah’s Entertainment as his “bosses”. Today was Haley and Marsha Barbour’s 34th wedding anniversary. Wayne Newton after congratulating the Governor and his wife, leaned over to the Governor and said…” Well how are you going to top this party for next year’s anniversary?” Everyone chuckled.
Governor Barbour praised Harrah’s Entertainment for being Mississippi’s finest Corporate Citizen.
Before the performance $400,000 had been raised for the Hurricane Heroes thanks to Harrah’s Entertainment in conjunction with Wayne Newton and friends.
Gov Barbour told us that over 44 million cubic yards of debris has been removed. Sixty percent of Mississippi’s work force was affected by the hurricane. Devastation went over a hundred miles inland. As of October 1st 99% of the school age children were back in Mississippi schools. A survey showed 95% of the residents have intentions of returning to the coast.
” Our people don’t whine and mumble” Governor Barbour stated, “We are committed to rebuilding” The spirit of the Mississippi residents to rebuild and strengthen their communities is phenomenal.
Wayne Newton was asked “Why did you make this a project for yourself?” His response was “This Benefit is a necessity……I know I speak for all of the celebrities here today, we give back what the people have done for us.”
In conclusion: the stars came out. They played and sang their hearts out. The only compensation they received was the many thanks of gratitude and the satisfaction of throwing one star fish back at a time.
To the celebrities – Mississippi Thanks You!
To the Harrah’s Corporate Family – Thank you for being so generous and caring.
To the Governor and the state and local dignitaries – Our prayers of hope are with you.
To the Survivors of the Hurricanes – You are not alone, and not forgotten. God Speed.
To Our Hurricane Heroes – Thank you, Thank you, you make our world a better place.
More pics