The statue will feature water and fire displays to welcome guests in its 30th year
Paragon Casino Resort is proud to unveil its most recent upgrade – a brand new bald eagle sculpture to greet and dazzle visitors when they enter the Casino Resort’s main entrance.
The eagle statue is 13 feet tall and is mounted on top of a 10-foot-tall structure, which is comprised of 23,000 pounds of boulders. The elaborate sculpture will feature live fire and waterfalls. The entire piece is constructed with high-density foam and covered in a durable fiberglass material, ensuring the statue will be resilient and steadfast – much like its inspiration.
Staying true to its mission to boost Central Louisiana residents and businesses, Paragon has commissioned GibKo Nursery in Bunkie, Louisiana for the sculpture’s design and execution.
“We are always seeking to improve and upgrade Paragon Casino Resort to be the absolute best we can be for our guests,” said Paragon Casino Resort General Manager Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. “Having this sculpture completed not only enhances the property for visitors but allows us to spotlight a local business’s expansive talent.”
The new sculpture is part of a property-wide renovation which will be completed in early 2024, and includes upgrades to 190 guest rooms, 24 suites and several common areas around the property.
As Paragon Casino Resort approaches its 30th anniversary this summer, Casino Resort management has called on its roots to bring the past into the present. The bald eagle is significant to the Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, which owns and operates Paragon Casino Resort. The eagle is the primary feature in the tribe’s logo and represents the story of Eagle and The Sun.
According to Tunica-Biloxi, the eagle is a messenger of the tribe’s prayers to the sun, their Creator. The waterfall display of the sculpture represents the mighty Mississippi River, which historically connected the Tunica, Biloxi, Ofo, Avoyel and Choctaw people to tribes as far north as Minnesota and even into Canada. The Mississippi River was a major trade route for tribes and played a tangible role in the expansion of the United States. The live fire feature of the sculpture also has symbolic meaning for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. In Tunica-Biloxi stories, fire possessed the power to shapeshift into men, women and animals.
“This grand sculpture represents three powerful symbols for our tribe: fire, water and the great bald eagle,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “This display is now a testament of Tunica-Biloxi’s and Paragon’s efforts to keep relevant the history of our tribe and pass down the culture for generations of tribal members to come.”
The new bald eagle sculpture is now on display in the main driveway of Paragon Casino Resort. Paragon and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe encourage all visitors to stop by and enjoy the live visual performance and learn more about the symbolism of Tunica-Biloxi’s heritage.