John Ascuaga’s Nugget commemorates 53 years in business with a party March 17.

The celebration starts with the 1:30 p.m. ribbon cutting and champagne toast of the Nugget’s newly remodeled west parking lot. The $2 million project included reconfiguring the lot and supplementing it with a freeway-exit slip ramp, new pavement, walkways, lighting, music, surveillance and landscaping.

Following the parking lot grand opening, guests can attend the anniversary party at 2 p.m. in the Celebrity Showroom. Cake and refreshments will be served, and entertainment will be provided by Controlled Burn.

Family-owned and operated since 1955, the Nugget has 1,600 rooms, nine restaurants, 110,000 square feet of convention space, full-service concierge, covered and valet parking, salon-spa, indoor-outdoor atrium pool, 1,270 slot machines, bingo, poker, table games, tournaments and a staff representing 32 languages.

Recent updates include a $17 million remodel of the East Tower, a poker room, Starbucks, WiFi Internet, privately accessed hotel floors, themed suites and in-laid Italian marble throughout the casino.

The public is invited to view the remodeled East Tower rooms during a free open house. It takes place on the fifth floor from noon to 5 p.m. March 15-16.

Visitors 21 and older can enter each day for a chance to win a “Steppin’ Out and Stayin’ Over” package, which includes dinner for two in the Rotisserie Buffet, two tickets to any upcoming Nugget show and a one-night stay in the hotel.