In the movie "The Wizard of Oz" there's a famous moment where the wizard says "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain."
On Tuesday, Oneida Nation leader Ray Halbritter would like everyone to pay attention to what's going on behind an emerald curtain: a shiny new Oz-themed casino.
The curtain will part at 10 a.m Tuesday morning to let guests into the new $20 million Yellow Brick Road casino for its grand opening celebration gala.
Once it opens, it won't close again, said Halbritter, Oneida Nation representative and Oneida Nation Enterprises chief executive officer.
"We are excited,'' he said. "This is a convenient, local, fun place to come relax and enjoy, and the Oz theme really adds to the flavor and atmosphere of this region. We had a lot of fun with the theme, and picking the names."
Workers are working day and night to put the finishing touches on the 67,000-square-foot casino in the Tops Plaza off Route 5 in Chittenango. The 250 employees have been hired and are training, officials said.
The Oneida Nation announced plans in December to open the new casino.
The Oneida Nation also operates Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, which is 20 miles east of the new casino.
The Chittenango casino is designed to be convenient, easier to access, more casual and appeal to a more-local market drawing from the Syracuse area and communities in and around Madison County, Halbritter said.
On Friday, Halbritter and other officials gave syracuse.com/The Post-Standard a look inside to share with our readers.
A yellow brick road now leads to the casino, and inside, the yellow brick-like tile continues the Oz theme. Poppy-splashed carpeting continues the theme throughout the casino.
There are 431 slot machines, with self-serve soda, juice and coffee machines throughout the gaming parlor, plus beverage service for those who want it, officials said.
In the middle of the floor is a 16-foot high steel-and-brass cyclone, or simulated tornado. Guests will be able to go inside, pull a cord and money and prizes will spin around for them to try to catch, officials said. PWF of Phoenix fabricated the cyclone.
The Oz-themed restaurants include:
- Dorothy's Farmhouse, a counter-service restaurant
- Wicked Good Pizza, a sit-down and take-out pizza place
- Heart and Courage Saloon
- Winged Monkey, a corner bar with video poker stations built into the counter.
Wizard Hall features a 500-seat bingo hall, and slots. There also is a Keno lounge.
The gaming areas will be on one level, and there will be no smoking indoors. There is an outdoor smoking patio in the back.
Everyone must be 18 years or older to go into the casino. Families will be able to dine at Wicked Good Pizza.
Opening day will feature costumed entertainers, and the opportunity for guests to win thousands of dollars in the Cyclone of Cash and the "There's No Place Like Home" giveaway.
At stake will be a share of $10,000 in groceries from Tops Markets or a portion of a $35,000 home remodel for signing up for a TS Rewards Card, or visiting a contest kiosk with an existing card, before July 4.
L. Frank Baum, the author of the children's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (1900), was born in Chittenango on May 15, 1856.
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