Borgata takes concerts outside at Atlantic City’s newest performance space

It's Easy to figure out what's at the top of Joe Lupo's summer wish list.

As senior vice-president of operations at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, Lupo oversees, among other things, the entertainment at Atlantic City's most successful casino. Which means that Festival Park, the gaming hall's new al fresco performance space — opening tomorrow with a bill headlined by the Hooters, G Love & Special Sauce and Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes — is his baby.

And Lupo wants baby to have a dry summer. "We're praying for nice weather," he said. "Sunny shore weather."

Festival Park, which he described as a "rain-or-shine" venue, is located on the north side of the Big B's sprawling, bayside campus, on the same side of the building as the casino's race book and uber-chef Bobby Flay's restaurant. It encompasses 40,000 square feet of space, with two stages.

This summer's headliners for the main stage include the Killers, Meghan Trainor, Tiesto and Willie Nelson. A smaller auxiliary stage will host cover bands before and after concerts, and on days without big concerts.

The standing-room-only complex also boasts cabanas, a VIP section, fire pits and an area dedicated to such activities as the popular bean-bag toss game Cornhole. And of course, there is a bar (40-seat) and lounge area.

The venue also will be used for food-and-beverage-based events, including a July 4 barbecue.

Lupo explained that creating an outdoor entertainment area has long been on Borgata's to-do list, but the financial crisis that ultimately wiped out four casinos delayed it.

"We feel there's more demand now," he said. "With \[the casino closings\], we feel we have the \[motivation\] to push the envelope a little bit more."

Additional motivation, he said, was supplied by New Jersey's Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, which administers and allocates casino-generated tax revenue. It contributed $3 million to get Festival Park built.

For all the excitement that Lupo and his crew feel about Festival Park, he insisted that this summer's maiden voyage is merely a test flight. "It's a venue we hope to try out this summer and really get to understand it and push the envelope even more so next year," he said.

The announced Festival Park schedule:

The Hooters/G Love & Special Sauce/Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, tomorrow, 5 p.m., $20.

The Killers, June 20, 7 p.m., (sold out).

Meghan Trainor, July 3, 7 p.m. $45.

311/Soja/The Wailers, July 19, 4 p.m., $45.

Darius Rucker, Aug. 15, 8 p.m. $59.50-$199.

Willie Nelson, Aug. 16, 6 p.m., $49.50.

Counting Crows/Citizen Cope, Sept. 5, 7 p.m. $49.50-$224.50.

Tiesto, Sept. 6, 3 p.m., &75 and $125.

Rick Springfield/Loverboy/The Romantics, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., $45.

The Band Perry/Brett Eldredge, Sept. 26, 6 p.m., $47.50.

Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa, One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, 866-900-4849, theborgata.com.