Entertaining Topeka | Prairie Band Casino & Resort
There aren’t many settings where you can get live entertainment, a hotel, dining, golf course and casino, all in one location.
That wonderful, magical spot? The Prairie Band Casino & Resort in Mayetta, just about 20 minutes north of the capital city.
NEW ACCOMMODATIONS
But just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, the casino and resort opened a new wing that includes 74 additional two- and three-bay suites and luxury hotel rooms, a full-service spa and salon, a workout facility, an arcade, a Top Golf suite with indoor golf simulators, an indoor pool and hot tub, outdoor pool, and additional meeting rooms.
“We’re excited because we can accommodate more guests to stay in our hotel and enjoy our facilities,” said John Tuckwin, director of marketing at Prairie Band. “They can come and enjoy the show. Once the show stops, the entertainment continues on.”
INTIMATE CONCERT EXPERIENCE
The facility’s 1,000-seat Great Lakes Ballroom attracted eight sold-out shows in 2022 and many stars, including rock artists Three Dog Night and Ann Wilson of Heart; disco-era artists KC and the Sunshine Band and Gloria Gaynor; comedians Whitney Cummings, Tracy Morgan, George Lopez, Frank Caliendo, and Jim Breuer; and country singers Jo Dee Messina, Tanya Tucker, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Trace Adkins, Lee Greenwood, and Randy Houser.
“It’s a chance to have an intimate concert setting for some of those bigger named acts. It’s unique in that perspective,” said Ashley Bergquist, promotions manager. “And then, before and after the show, to be able to still have entertainment and keep your night going.”
“Our last row is 30 yards from the stage,” Tuckwin added. “There’s not a bad seat in the place. The Great Lakes Ballroom becomes pretty electric during a show.”
In 2023, Prairie Band has at least seven shows booked so far, including The Fab Four Beatles Tribute Band on Thursday, Jan. 23, The Righteous Brothers on Thursday, Jan. 29, and country singer Gary Allen.
BEYOND THE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Bergquist said while Prairie Band offers a great source of entertainment for the capital city, many of the casino and resort’s visitors come from out of state, including Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma.
With Firekeeper Golf Course being rated the No. 1 public golf course in Kansas by Golfweek, it’s definitely an attraction.
“We’ve had several of (the performers) that make sure we’re on their list of places to play because they’re golfers,” Tuckwin said. “They try to get here early so they can play golf across the street before they play that night.”
On Thursday, Jan. 12, Prairie Band and its approximately 700 employees will celebrate its 25th anniversary with free giveaways, and that weekend, they’ll be doing promotions for guests on the casino floor. Tuckwin touted the Prairie Band’s rewards program as another thing that makes the spot elite when it comes to entertainment.
With sports betting becoming legal in Kansas, Tuckwin said Prairie Band is in the process of developing an app that should be live in 2023 and is “thrilled to have that as another entertainment option.”
As the weather warms up this spring and summer, Tuckwin said they have plans for outdoor parties and concerts at the new outdoor pool and deck.
Additionally, Bergquist said Prairie Band had a successful food truck festival in the parking lot last April, and they plan on doing it again in 2023 with live entertainment.
“There’s no other place like this in the Midwest, and I would encourage people who haven’t been up here to come check it out,” Tuckwin said.
