Ignite Creative Services Lights Up the Sky for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts Solar Eclipse Spectacle
DURANT, OK – As the nation scrambles for their cardboard eclipse glasses and races into the path of totality, one of the country’s largest casino resorts is ready to get them parked for the best seat in the country. Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in southeast Oklahoma is gearing up for the grand celestial show of the decade, with front-row seats to witness the eclipse’s mesmerizing journey across the sky on Monday, April 8th around 12 p.m.
With eclipse excitement reaching cosmic levels nationwide, Choctaw Corporate Beverage Manager Danny Caffall called upon Ignite Creative Services, LLC™ (ICS) to concoct a sun-sational limited-time offer tied to all the celestial excitement. “Knowing that we have one of the best seats in the country to witness this celestial spectacle, it’s a perfect opportunity to celebrate and show our guests how we elevate the experience at Choctaw Casinos & Resorts. We knew Celia and the Ignite team could make it happen,” Caffall says.
Crafting the Celestial Experience
The ICS team has been shining bright as a crucial part of Choctaw’s food and beverage team since 2023. “We whipped up the concept, mixology magic, selections, photography, design, content, training materials, and all the creative services in under two weeks. We were on fire! Working at warp speed is our forte, and we sent this promotion soaring high,” beams Celia Waddington, CEO, and Founder of Ignite Creative Services, LLC™. “With seven casino locations, we are excited to create a concept that will eclipse all expectations.”
Just like a total solar eclipse, Choctaw Casinos & Resorts eclipse events promise a memorable experience for all guests. Weather permitting, lucky spectators in the eclipse’s path can catch a glimpse of the sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere usually hidden by the sun’s brilliance. It is a celestial spectacle where viewers can briefly remove their eclipse glasses and bask in the moon’s shadow.
According to Oklahoma state government offices, an estimated 17,000 to 66,000 visitors are expected to travel to southeastern Oklahoma to witness this rare event. The next total solar eclipse over the contiguous United States won’t grace our skies until 2044, and it could take centuries for a total eclipse to return to the same location. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma reservation in southeast Oklahoma will be in the path of this extraordinary eclipse, making it the longest total eclipse overland in a decade.
“We’re no strangers to working at warp speed,” as Celia puts it. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Ignite Creative Services, LLC™ is a full-service strategic and creative agency, specializing in the Food and Beverage (F&B) Industries.
Eddie Garcia, Ignite Director of Beverage, lit up the Synge Cocktail Studio™, a cutting-edge Bar and Studio. He crafted two signature cocktails for the event, the Solar Eclipse Collins and the Blue Moonmosa. “We concocted it with Butterfly Pea Infused Conciere Vodka, Black Cherry Reâl, lemon juice, and soda water,” shares Eddie. “The vibrant beverage transitions from red at the bottom to purple on top, garnished with a tower of skewered cherries. This liquid masterpiece perfectly complements the campaign’s celestial theme.”
“We kept the celestial vibes flowing with ‘Celebrate Moonday,’ featuring the Blue Moonmosa. It’s a delightful blend of Blue Moon Belgian White, Mionetto Prosecco, and orange juice,” adds Garcia. ICS designed artwork to honor Choctaw Casinos & Resort’s rich history in the Choctaw Nation, using a kaleidoscope of colors against a dark backdrop, with their logo at the heart of a Solar Eclipse. It was so poetic; it practically designed itself, muses Celia.
Proud Partnerships and Cosmic Celebrations
“People will travel hundreds of miles to witness this awe-inspiring event, and we wanted to be at the forefront of this celebration,” says Caffall. This phenomenal beverage program was shared across all their casinos, paying homage to the sun’s profound significance in Choctaw Nation’s spiritual traditions and history. And according to NASA Scientists, it will take anywhere from 360 to 410 years for a total eclipse to return to the same location. “However, you choose to experience the 2024 solar eclipse, remember that you are witnessing a slice of history, and we are excited to share a bit of Choctaw culture,” Caffall says.
Each of Choctaw’s casinos and resorts is gearing up for an out-of-this-world party during the eclipse, with millions in prizes, live music, gourmet buffets, poolside viewing parties, and free gifts. Choctaw Casino & Resort – Grant is offering the grand prize – six Mitsubishi Eclipse SUVs up for grabs throughout April.
“It’s truly remarkable what Choctaw has achieved, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with a group that cherishes and celebrates their community,” says Celia, proud to be part of this cosmic celebration. “Just like a solar eclipse, this event promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, blending history, culture, and celestial wonder into a dazzling celebration. Let’s raise a glass to Choctaw’s stellar success and the magic of the eclipse!”
About Choctaw Casinos & Resorts
Owned and operated by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with more than 225,000 tribal members and 12,000 employees. Choctaw Casinos & Resorts features a variety of gaming, hotel, and resort properties throughout southeastern Oklahoma, including Durant, Grant, Pocola, Idabel, Broken Bow, McAlester, Stigler and Stringtown. In spring 2024, Choctaw Nation is opening a 100-room luxury resort, Choctaw Landing in Hochatown, OK. For more information, visit www.choctawcasinos.com.