Caesars Entertainment Announces The All New Harrah's Philadelphia

CHESTER, Pa., May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Caesars Entertainment announced today that Harrah's Chester will have a new name on May 12: Harrah's Philadelphia, along with several new dining outlets and an all new entertainment line up.  Harrah's Chester will officially change its name to Harrah's Philadelphia in conjunction with its first headlining concert of the summer-long Harrah's Philadelphia Summer Concert Series with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, slated for a May 12 show on "The Field" of the race track.

"The unveiling of Harrah's Philadelphia and new amenities is a first look at the new Harrah's, and all that is to come in the very near future," said Ron Baumann, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Harrah's Philadelphia. "The expansion of our landmark Pennsylvania property is aimed at delivering to our guests an increasingly rich and welcoming entertainment experience with an array of new and improved amenities that include great dining options, live entertainment nightly and, of course, premier gaming action."

New to Harrah's Philadelphia will be the debut of 200 new slot machines.  Featuring themes such as Dark Knight, Ghostbusters and Clue, Harrah's Philadelphia slot offering tops out at 2,800 machines, and one of the largest selections within Pennsylvania.

On the dining front, three new restaurants will debut throughout April and May at Harrah's Philadelphia, featuring a Philadelphia favorite, a barbecue micro-brew pub, and a 24-hour-7-day-a-week cafe.

Caffe Napoli, a full-service 24-hour Italian-themed restaurant and cafe opened to the public on Friday, April 6, featuring brick-oven pizza, fresh hand made pastas, farm fresh salads, and sandwiches suited to appease any level of appetite. 

Opening Memorial Day Weekend, unique micro-brew and barbecue pub BarleyQue will feature craft beers and live Entertainment every weekend.  Foodies and the casual diner can expect the best BBQ in town from the menu, which highlights recipes from the Food Network's top chefs and personalities.

Also debuting Memorial Day Weekend is a Philly-favorite to be announced at a later date.

And starting in May, Harrah's Philadelphia will feature live bands on The Patio almost nightly, rounding out the full entertainment experience unlike any other casino destination in the region.  Local band favorites on the bill include Don't Call Me Francis, Mr. Greenjeans, Steamroller Picnic, and Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns. 

In the month of May, Harrah's Philadelphia has planned:

• May 4th:  The Patio Opens - Don't Call Me Francis Playing
• May 5th:  Kentucky Derby Meets Cinco De' Mayo - Day Racing with a Latin Jazz band playing on the patio, Lefty Lucy Playing on The Patio at night
• May 11th:  Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
• May 12th:  Lynyrd Skynyrd Concert on the field
• May 12th:  Cadillac CTS Giveaway
• May 18th:  T-Shirt Giveaway for everyone
• May 25th:  Fireworks on the field
• May 26th:  BarleyQue Opens
• May 26th:  Liberty Bell Sweepstakes

About Harrah's Philadelphia and Its Commitment to the Chester Community:

Caesars Entertainment and Harrah's Philadelphia have been active community partners in the greater Chester region since 2007 when the license was granted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.  Since then, Harrah's has paid well over $131 million in City and County taxes.

Harrah's Philadelphia proudly participates in the "Walk to Work" program, an Employer Assisted Housing (EAH) program established to assist a limited number of eligible Harrah's Philadelphia employees with the purchase of a home by providing down payment/closing cost assistance in the form of a $5,000 loan forgivable over a five-year term.  The home purchased must be located in a specified area within the City of Chester. EAH loan may be used in combination with a PHFA (Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency) Home Loan Programs and/or PHFA Access Home Modification or Access Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Programs.

Harrah's philanthropic culture has seen its employees volunteer over three thousand hours to dozens of charities and at charitable events.  Additionally, over $500,000 has been donated to the Chester community in the form of educational scholarships and grants for under funded agencies. 

In 2011 alone, Harrah's (Chester) Philadelphia committed $120,000 to the Chester Education Foundation in support of their "Project Transition" which will continue in 2012.  Project Transition targets students who are enrolled in the Chester Education Foundation's after school programs, providing additional support and preparation to ensure that they are not among the many students who fail to graduate. 

SOURCE Caesars Entertainment