PLAINS TWP. — Party on the Patio will return to Mohegan Sun Pocono next year.

Erica Michaliga, director of player development for Mohegan Sun Pocono, made the announcement Thursday night at the Draw the Line tribute to Aerosmith concert, the final show of the summer.

“We never decided to not have it. I don’t know how those rumors got started,” Michaliga said. “We just felt the right time to announce it was at our last show.”

Some questioned the future of Party on the Patio after other changes were announced at the casino, including not holding a fireworks display for July 4 and not hosting Oktoberfest this year.

Several casino patrons also complained that the Party on the Patio events became overcrowded because the top deck was only open for VIPs while everyone else has to stand in the racetrack apron.

“We never had any plans to take it away,” said Tony Carlucci, president and general manager of Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Party on the Patio offers popular tribute bands from across the country every Thursday night for 14 weeks throughout the summer. The lineup for next year has not yet been determined, Michaliga said.

The shows are free and open to those 21 and older and drinks are available for purchase.

Ray Tabano, a guitarist and one of the founding members of Aerosmith, introduced the band Thursday night — he said the band is endorsed by Aerosmith.

Tabano also showed support for Mohegan Sun Pocono’s efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Carlucci said Friday that $3,000 will be donated to the American Red Cross to assist Hurricane Harvey victims. Ten percent of proceeds from Party on the Patio Thursday will be donated and Mohegan Sun Pocono added more than $1,000, Carlucci said.

Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, the gaming company headquartered in Connecticut that owns Mohegan Sun Pocono, wanted to help the victims in Texas severely impacted by the hurricane, he said.

“We felt strongly about doing this,” Carlucci said. “People are suffering and we felt we should do it.” Employees at Mohegan Sun Pocono also are donating diapers and canned goods for the hurricane relief efforts and more fund-raising efforts will be held over the next few months, he said.

Contact the writer:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

570-821-2115, @CVAllabaugh