April 4, 1957: The Tropicana Hotel opens with 300 rooms on 17 acres. December 24, 1959: Lou Walters brings “Folies Bergere," shown here in 1975, to the Tropicana from Paris. January 1986: Swim-up blackjack tables were part of “The Island of Las Vegas," complete with four Chilean flamingos, one pair each of black and mute swans, and six parrots. June 1977: J. Kell Houssels Sr., Joe DiMaggio and Metzi Briggs attend the groundbreaking of the Tiffany Tower, which opened in 1978. Jack Carter Trini Lopez Ben Vereen Breck Wall

The Tropicana will mark its upcoming 50th anniversary with a yearlong celebration campaign, starting with an invitation-only party Saturday.

Several big names have performed at the resort since it opened April 4, 1957, and a few are expected to be at the ballroom bash, said resort spokesman Rick Campbell. Rose Marie, Margaret O'Brien, Breck Wall and Mafalda Papp are the celebrities who plan to come, while Trini Lopez, Jack Carter and Ben Vereen may show up.

"The Tropicana started out with Las Vegas-style entertainment. A lot of names started at the Tropicana," Campbell said. "There's not much left as far as the old properties go. The Tropicana (is) an icon on the Strip, it was one of the first major resorts, it's become a very popular intersection in the world and we want all of our customers and town to celebrate this monumental occasion."

The Steve Beyer Band will provide musical entertainment but any celebrity is welcome to perform, Campbell said, or talk about their memories.

Cast members of "Folies Bergere" are scheduled to perform a few numbers, as well. "The Folies" has called the Tropicana home for the past 48 years, Campbell said.

"It's changed over time, but it's one of the classic original showgirl shows in Las Vegas," Campbell said. "We hope to see them go another 50 years with us."

There will be dinner and dancing, along with an unveiling of a rendering of the renovations planned for September, Campbell said. A time line of the resort's history will be unveiled, too. Mayor Oscar Goodman is scheduled to read a proclamation naming April 4 as "Tropicana Day."

Only celebrities, special customers and VIPs are invited to attend the party but there will be plenty of opportunities for the public to join in the celebration throughout the year, Campbell said.

A birthday cake cutting is planned for April 4. Cake will be served to guests in the casino throughout the week. Gaming promotions are being planned for every Friday through the end of the year, including cash giveaways and prizes. The details of the promotions haven't been decided, Campbell said.