All signs of the Isle are now a memory and “Golden Nugget” is up in lights over the entrance in time for today’s 1 p.m. ribbon-cutting for Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi.

“We’re set,” said Bradley Rhines, vice president of marketing.

Crews have worked for months to complete the first phase of a $100 million renovation. Landry’s completed the purchase of the resort from Isle of Capri in 2012, but it won’t be until the rib

bon is cut and champagne toast given Friday inside the porte cochere that Mississippi’s first casino will officially be re-branded.

All are welcome to take part in the grand opening weekend that also marks the premieres of the first Morton’s The Steakhouse and Lillie’s Asian Cuisine in Mississippi.

It isn’t just the new restaurants, casino space and other amenities that are creating a buzz about the opening, Rhines said. His announcement that Willie Robertson of A&E hit television show “Duck Dynasty” will be at the Golden Nugget on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. has made Rhines a very popular guy.

“It does feel like there’s a lot of excitement,” he said.

The entertainment will start immediately after the ribbon is cut and continue through the weekend, he said. Golden Nugget will be the first place in Mississippi where fans can experience Virtual Racing, a NASCAR-themed promotion from Bally Technologies that lets players at any slot machine on the casino floor choose their favorite driver to cheer across the finish line without interrupting their slot play.

Players select one of eight famous NASCAR drivers — Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin or Martin Truex Jr. from the touch-screen display manager. Races will be run each hour from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

“It’s going to be a great few days for our players as they compete to win while enjoying the thrill of America’s No. 1 spectator sport,” said Melissa Radovich, Golden Nugget director of marketing.

Fans also can look inside Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 car, which will be on display during the weekend.

 SOURCE: www.sunherald.com