Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre will allow tailgating at new outdoor parking lot events
From a press release:
Fans attending the Mohegan Sun Arena’s “Drive-In Live Concert Series” with Almost Queen and Jim Gaffigan will be able to “Break Free” from their vehicles.
After consulting with local authorities, the staff at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township announced today that guests in attendance for the live performances hosted in the arena’s parking lot will be able to occupy the parking space adjacent to their vehicle and enjoy the shows from outside of their car.
A maximum of four occupants are permitted in each vehicle, meaning no more than four patrons will be allowed inside any one tailgating space. While masks are not required in these designated spaces, they must be worn by any and all patrons traveling to and from portable restrooms and concessions areas. All mask and social distancing policies will be strictly enforced.
Mohegan Sun Arena will host Almost Queen, a tribute to the legendary rock band Queen, on Friday, July 17 and Grammy-nominated comedian Jim Gaffigan on Saturday, July 18. Both events will feature live in-person performances from a 40-foot outdoor stage near the venue’s East Gate equipped with lighting, video production, and audio amplification. The start time is 8 p.m. for both shows, with gates opening two hours prior.
A ticket for each event includes a parking space for the vehicle, along with the adjacent parking space. All tickets are general admission and are first-come, first-served. A limited number of Gold and Silver Circle spaces are available for each event that provide an optimal view of the event stage. Tickets are currently available online via ticketmaster.com or in person at the recently reopened NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena (255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (subject to change).
Social distancing measures will operate in accordance with Pennsylvania guidelines (subject to change):
- Vehicles will be spaced to accommodate social distancing.
- Cars will park in a staggered fashion to achieve spacing and best visibility.
- Patrons may only leave their vehicles to use their tailgating space adjacent to their vehicle, restrooms, or to obtain concessions.
- A maximum of four people are allowed in each tailgating space.
- Masks must be worn by any patrons traveling to and from portable restrooms and concessions.
- Portable, single-stall restrooms will be located throughout the parking lot and cleaned frequently.
Additional information for these first-of-a-kind concert experiences:
- Passenger vehicles only. No motorcycles, buses, party buses, limousines, RVs, bicycles, or foot traffic allowed. ADA accessible vehicles will be permitted.
- All tickets are general admission and spots cannot be reserved.
- Guests may bring their own food and beverage. No grills permitted.
- Event is rain or shine.
- Event will take place in the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza parking lot. All cars must enter through the main entrance from Highland Park Boulevard.
- Audio amplification will be announced at the event.
- Cars with more than four adults will be turned away without refund.
- Vehicles are subject to search upon entry.
- No pets allowed.
For day-of:
- Once parked, vehicle relocation is not permitted.
- Please follow parking attendants’ directions to your parking spot.
- Please pull forward into the spot – don’t try to back in.
- If you wish to park with your friends, we recommend you meet away from the venue and drive in together.
State guidance on social distancing, public gatherings, and certain procedures and practices is subject to change. The Mohegan Sun Arena will keep customers informed of changes as they pertain to these events at mohegansunarenapa.com. For a list of frequently asked questions as it pertains to this event, visit mohegansunarenapa.com/events/drivein.
Almost Queen promises to deliver “the most authentic Queen live show since the days of Queen themselves.” The deliberate four-piece band showcases signature four-part harmonies and intricate musical interludes. Donning genuine costumes, Almost Queen recaptures the live energy and precision of the ultimate rock band.
Expect to hear iconic classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “We Are the Champions,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and “Another One Bites the Dust.” This accurate Queen experience has sold out numerous times in places like Sellersville and is still riding high on Queen’s resurgence in popularity following the 2018 release of the biographical film “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music, and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Played by Rami Malek, Mercury defied stereotypes and shattered conventions to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound that cements a legacy that inspires outsiders, dreamers, and music lovers to this day.
In Almost Queen, Joseph Russo portrays Freddie Mercury with Steve Leonard as Brian May, John Cappadona as Roger Taylor, and Randy Gregg as John Deacon.
“These guys are even better than the Queen that’s out there touring,” Howard Stern said of Almost Queen.
“Almost Queen is better at playing Queen than Bent Brother is at playing Twisted Sister,” Mark “The Animal” Mendoza of Twister Sister noted. His bandmate Eddie Ojeda agreed: “I am a very big Queen fan, and Almost Queen does a great job of creating the illusion of actually seeing Queen live. We all miss Freddie Mercury; I feel the band pays tribute to him and Queen respectfully.”
Jim Gaffigan is a five-time Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, two-time New York Times bestselling author, two-time Emmy-winning top touring performer, and multi-platinum-selling recording artist. He is known around the world for his unique brand of clean humor, which largely revolves around his observations on life.
On the silver screen, his many credits include “Three Kings,” “Super Troopers” and “Super Troopers 2,” and “Chappaquiddick.” 2019 was Gaffigan’s biggest year to date with eight films released. Three of these movies premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, including “Troop Zero” with Viola Davis and Alison Janney, “Them That Follow,” and “Light from Light,” with many festivalgoers calling Gaffigan the “King of Sundance.”
He is also the lead in the comedic film called “Being Frank,” which opened Father’s Day weekend, and “American Dreamer,” a dark thriller that features him as an ride share driver who moonlights as a private driver for a drug dealer. In April of 2019, Gaffigan was seen alongside Alec Baldwin and Salma Hayek in Bron Studios’ “Drunk Parents.”
On Aug. 16, Gaffigan released his unprecedented seventh stand-up special, “Quality Time,” on Amazon Prime, making history as Amazon’s first original comedy special. The 53-year-old is in top form, talking about why we aren’t more honest about the reasons we don’t want to attend events while at the same time embracing lying to kids. From horses and dog birthdays to traveling and museums, he continues to impress.
In addition to two seasons of the critically acclaimed, semi-autobiographical TV Land sitcom “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” which he wrote and produced with his wife Jeannie, and his widely popular stand-up comedy specials, Gaffigan has guest starred on many television comedies and dramas, ranging from “Portlandia” and “Bob’s Burgers” to the HBO cult hit “Flight of the Concords” and dramatic roles in “Law & Order.”
Gaffigan regularly does humorous commentaries on CBS Sunday and served as the master of ceremonies at the Al Smith memorial dinner. He was named one of the world’s highest grossing comedians by Forbes, and he is one of only 10 comedians in history to sell out the famed Madison Square Garden arena. In 2015, he performed for over one million people at the Festival of Families during Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia.
He and his wife currently live in Manhattan with their five loud and expensive children.
Photo of tailgating at the Circle Drive-In in Dickson City by Rich Howells/NEPA Scene
