WHAT: Mohegan Sun is excited to announce that the 2nd Annual Savor New England event on the Sun Patio has added a standout lineup of celebrity chefs and regional vendors. Adam Young, who’s popular Sift Bake Shop and A.T.Y Bar & Bonbons are located in Mohegan Sun’s Winter Entrance, will be on hand serving signature baked goods from Sift. He’ll be joined by renowned chefs Will Gilson, Michele Ragussis and Nick Calias, each offering signature food specials for guests at Savor New England. Gilson, Ragussis and Calias will also compete in the fan-favorite Chowder Competition, where attendees can sample and vote for their favorite chowder.
Will Gilson: Chef & Co-owner of the popular Cambridge, MA restaurant, Puritan & Company, known for seasonal New England cuisine.
Michele Ragussis: Popular chef and Food Network personality known for her Greek/Italian cuisine and New England influence.
Adam Young: Award-winning pastry chef and founder of Sift Bake Shop, recognized for his innovative desserts and coastal New England influence.
Nick Calias: Award-winning certified chef & Director of Food & Beverage at The Colonnade Hotel in Boston, known for his modern approach to American and French cuisine.
IN DETAIL: Savor New England showcases some of the region’s top culinary talent, with celebrity chefs and fan-favorite vendors offering a diverse mix of seafood specialties, artisan creations and New England classics. From fresh shellfish and lobster rolls to baked goods and specialty treats, guests can experience the best of the region in one place.
This year’s event also highlights Mohegan Sun’s new Reel Catch Food Truck, serving coastal favorites including lobster rolls, fish & chips and classic clam chowder. Participating chefs and vendors will contribute to a dynamic food experience, blending tradition with modern culinary flair.
Elevated Outdoor Workout Blends Pilates, Sunset Vibes, and Cocktails on June 25th at Mohegan Sun
UNCASVILLE, CT (May 26, 2026) – Mohegan Sun is turning up the summer energy with Pilates After Dark on Thursday, June 25th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm outside on the Sun Patio, offering guests a one-of-a-kind outdoor fitness and nightlife-inspired experience.
Set under the evening sky, guests will enjoy a high-energy mat sculpt Pilates class featuring upbeat music, sunset views, a free cocktail at the Sun Patio Bar and a signature party atmosphere designed for all fitness levels. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
Event Schedule:
7:00pm – 7:30pm: Check-in, stretch and socialize
7:30pm – 8:30pm: Mat Pilates
8:30pm – 9:00pm: Cocktail Hour on the Sun Patio Bar
Admission Includes:
50-minute Mat Sculpt Pilates class
Upbeat party-style atmosphere and sunset setting
One complimentary drink ticket for the Sun Patio Bar
Guests should bring a mat, their crew, and their best energy for a fitness experience that goes beyond the average workout. This event is open to guests 21+.
Pilates After Dark will also soon launch a new charity event series dedicated to supporting families in the community who are experiencing hardship. These events will not have a set ticket price; instead, attendees are encouraged to contribute whatever they can, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the cause. The charity series will benefit the Community Action Agency of New Haven. For updates, stay tuned to Pilates After Dark.
Pilates After Dark is a Connecticut-based fitness brand that blends Pilates workouts with a high-energy, nightlife-inspired atmosphere. Known for hosting pop-up classes and social fitness events, Pilates After Dark brings together movement, music and socializing for a unique group wellness experience. The event on June 25th will be the brand’s first Pilates After Dark on the Sun Patio at Mohegan Sun! For more information, click HERE.
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan also operates an iGaming division, Mohegan Digital, in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Ontario, CA providing cutting-edge online gaming solutions to Mohegan’s loyal fan base. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
Prime Seats, Cold Beer, Delicious Bites, Fight Night Action and Giveaways Take Center Stage
WHAT: Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook will host a high‑energy viewing experience for UFC Freedom 250, broadcasting the historic fight taking place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. Fight fans can take in the action and enjoy an electrifying sportsbook environment featuring wall‑to‑wall screens, including the 140-foot video wall, live wagering and exclusive raffle giveaways of signed UFC memorabilia.
WHEN/WHERE: Sunday, June 14th | 8:00pm
Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook
Viewing Package
Guests can reserve a seat for $100 per person, which includes:
One bucket of beer
One entrée
Each attendee who reserves a seat will receive raffle tickets to win exclusive signed UFC items – Ilia Topuria shorts, Alex Pereira shorts and a Sean O’Malley glove–drawn during the fight.
The main card features a stacked lineup of bouts, headlined by a Lightweight Title matchup between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, as well as a Heavyweight Interim Title Bout between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. Additional fights include Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis, and Maurício Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler. Fight card subject to change.
Named one of the UFC’s Top 30 sports bars in the country in 2025, Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook delivers the ultimate destination to watch, bet, and celebrate UFC Freedom 250. Reserve a seat via the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook event calendar, HERE.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan also operates an iGaming division, Mohegan Digital, in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Ontario, CA providing cutting-edge online gaming solutions to Mohegan’s loyal fan base. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
The Multi‑Platinum Artist Performs Saturday, August 29th
UNCASVILLE, CT (May 21, 2026) –As part of the Sun Patio Concert Series, Mohegan Sun welcomes iconic rapper, singer, and musician Afroman to the Sun Patio on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with an outdoor performance beginning at 8:00pm.
All Sun Patio Concert Series shows are general admission and take place rain or shine. This premier outdoor event space at Mohegan Sun also features a full bar and deck for guests 21+.
Afroman’s musical career began in the eighth grade, when he began recording homemade songs and selling them to his classmates. “The first tape I made was about my eighth-grade teacher,” he once recalled. “She got me kicked out of school for sagging my pants, which was a big deal back then. So I wrote this song about her and it sold about 400 copies: it was selling to teachers, students, just about everybody. And I realized that, even though I wasn’t at school, my song was at school, so in a way I was still there. All these people would come by my house just to give me comments about how cool they thought the song was.” Foreman also performed in his church at a young age, playing both the drums and guitar.
In 1998, Afroman released his first album, My Fro-losophy and later relocated to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he met drummer Jody Stallone, keyboardist/bassist Darrell Havard and producer Tim Ramenofsky (a.k.a. Headfridge).
Ramenofsky produced and released Afroman’s album Because I Got High in 2000 on T-Bones Records; it was distributed primarily through concerts and the file-sharing service Napster before its title track was played on The Howard Stern Show. Afroman was inspired to write the song’s lyrical content by his unwillingness to clean his room, and he ran with the idea of everyday tasks being derailed by drug use. In late 2001, the song became a hit and was featured in the films Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, The Perfect Score, and Disturbia later in the 2000s. Because I Got High was nominated for the Grammy Award for “Best Rap Solo Performance” in 2002.
After the single’s success, Afroman joined the lineup of Cypress Hill’s fall festival Smoke Out with the Deftones, Method Man, and others. After this, Universal Records signed Afroman to a six-album deal, and Universal released The Good Times in 2001. The Good Times was a compilation of Afroman’s first two albums and some new tracks.
Afroman started releasing his music independently and mostly through the Internet in 2004, and that year, he recorded Jobe Bells, which satirized traditional Christmas songs.
Afroman was part of the 2010 Gathering of the Juggalos lineup.
In October 2014, Afroman released a remix of his hit song Because I Got High in order to highlight the usefulness of marijuana as part of the effort to legalize its sale across the United States.
In January of 2021, Afroman signed with revolutionary record label, Cosmic Wire. Owned and operated by artist/producer BLAZAR (Jerad Finck), and growth hacking expert BJ Klock, their first single “WHOLEthing” was released as a precursor to his upcoming album release.
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
Celebration of Iconic Movie’s 55th Anniversary to Feature Original Cast Members, 165+ Vendor Booths, International Chocolatiers, Interactive Experiences & Thousands of Chocolate Lovers
UNCASVILLE, CT (May 19, 2026) – The Chocolate Expo, one of America’s largest chocolate festivals, will make its debut at Mohegan Sun’s Earth Expo Center for a two-day celebration of all things chocolate and all things Wonka, featuring stars of the beloved 1971 film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. The event will take place Saturday, May 30th, and Sunday, May 31st, from 10:00am to 6:00pm, with VIP early admission beginning at 9:00am.
The Chocolate Lover’s Dream Becomes an International Showcase
The Chocolate Expo will feature tastings & sales from 165+ vendor booths, highlighting an extraordinary selection of artisan chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, and other gourmet creations. With participating vendors from across the U.S., plus Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany, Sweden, Lebanon, and Ecuador, this truly international culinary experience has something for everyone.
Guests 21+ can enjoy specially curated chocolate cocktails and drink offerings at Mohegan Sun’s “Chocolate Bar,” along with chocolate‑inspired desserts and drinks available at select restaurants throughout the property. Highlights include chocolate cannoli and cookies at Todd English’s Tuscany, a decadent chocolate cake and chocolate peanut butter martini at dinner, a chocolate flourless fudge torte and mint chocolate martini at novelle, and a rich chocolate fudge cupcake from TheCrafty Stir Café. Together, these offerings create an all‑around experience no chocolate lover will want to miss.
Celebrity Guests & Wonka Magic
Stars from the iconic Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory appearing at The Chocolate Expo include:
• Peter Ostrum – “Charlie Bucket” • Julie Dawn Cole – “Veruca Salt” • Paris Themmen – “Mike Teevee” • Oompa Loompa Rusty Goffe
A Panel Discussion followed by audience Q&A with the stars will take place each day at 1:00pm and is included with admission. In addition, the actors will be available throughout the day to sign autographs and take selfies with fans for an additional fee set by the actors (see website for details). VIP ticket holders will have first access for autographs and selfies beginning at 9:00am and will receive a VIP souvenir lanyard upon entry.
An Immersive, Interactive Experience for All Ages
Adding to the magic of the weekend, guests can explore an immersive Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory-inspired balloon sculpture display, featuring iconic scenes brought to life by renowned balloon artist Robbie Furman. The Kidz Zone will delight younger visitors with face painters and balloon artists, with a special balloon‑popping finale at 5:00pm on Sunday.
Chocolate-themed presentations will take place throughout the event, offering interactive fun for all ages. Guests are also encouraged to join in the theme by dressing in Wonka-inspired costumes, with daily costume contests held at Noon and 3:00pm for prizes and bragging rights.
Tickets & Event Information
VIP, General Admission, and Late-Day Special tickets are available online at:
The Chocolate Expo is a Baum Image Group event. Prior productions include The Official Woodstock 35th Anniversary Celebration in 2004 under license from Woodstock Ventures, creators of the original 1969 Woodstock Festival.
About Mohegan Sun
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan also operates an iGaming division, Mohegan Digital, in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Ontario, CA providing cutting-edge online gaming solutions to Mohegan’s loyal fan base. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
Celebrity Interview Opportunities
A very limited number of advance interviews with the cast of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory are available. Contact [email protected] for more information.
