FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek, Michigan announced it will close to the public at 3:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2020 and reopen at 7:00 a.m. on January 1, 2021. Casino officials said people inside the casino would have until 4:00 p.m. to leave the premises, after which an invitation-only celebration will be held.
FireKeepers Vice President of Marketing Jim Wise said, “With our occupancy constraints due to social distancing, we can’t be the place where the public goes to party this year. We will instead close to the public, avoid potential traffic nightmares and extend delays to enter the building. Our goal is to advise the public well in advance to allow them to make other New Year’s Eve plans while we focus on hosting a safe, socially distanced gathering.”
The state of Michigan reported a spike in Covid-19 cases in early November.
Wise said in the past, the casino has been crowded with people wanting to celebrate. “This is not the year for that type of event,” he stated. However, the casino will serve free donuts and coffee between 8:00 .m. and 10:00 a.m. on December 31, and New Year’s Eve freebies will be distributed starting at 12:00 noon.
