Bret Michaels brought the party home to Central Pennsylvania on September 14th on the Penn Heroes Stage at the Hollywood Casino at PNRC, and it was a night to remember. As a Mechanicsburg native, this concert was more than just another stop on his Parti-Gras 2.0 tour—it was a heartfelt homecoming, and the energy was palpable from start to finish. Bret performed here last August and promised to bring the party back again, and boy did he ever.
Opening the night, Dave Bray USA set the tone with his patriotic rock anthems. His heartfelt tribute to veterans and first responders resonated deeply with the crowd, and his blend of rock and patriotism added a powerful emotional charge to the evening. Next up, Great White took the stage, delivering a set filled with classic hits that transported the audience back to the glory days of hair metal. Their timeless sound still carries that signature punch, getting everyone primed for the main event.
When Bret Michaels hit the stage, the atmosphere exploded with excitement. His connection with the Central PA crowd was undeniable, a local hero coming back to where it all began. From the moment he opened his set, it was clear that this wasn’t just a concert—it was a celebration. The crowd roared as Michaels ripped through Poison classics like “Talk Dirty to Me” and “Unskinny Bop,” his signature charisma and energy still as infectious as ever.
Mark McGrath of Sugary Ray and the legendary Dee Snider of Twisted Sister each had an opportunity to rock the crowd with some of their biggest hits. McGrath brought his California cool, adding some fun, laid-back energy, while Snider unleashed his trademark wild persona, igniting the crowd with his raw, rebellious spirit. Snider performed “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, “I Wanna Rock”, and “Highway to Hell”.
As many know, Michaels is a staunch supporter of our military and first responders. He has many family members and friends who have served this country, including his Dad Wally, who is buried at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetary, just a few miles from the venue. During “Something to Believe In”, he brought out a group of military and first responders to honor them. This is always a special part in Bret’s set and is very moving. At the end of every show, Bret auctions off shirts that he wore during the show, hats, and his mic stand, with the money being donated to local charities.
The grand finale was the perfect closing to an epic night. All the musicians, including members of Dave Bray USA, Great White, Dee Snider, Mark McGrath, and some local musician friends of Bret joined him on stage for a rousing rendition of “Nothing But a Good Time,” with everyone in the crowd singing along in full party mode. But they didn’t stop there—the final song, a rock-tinged version of “Sweet Home Alabama,” gave the night an iconic, feel-good sendoff that had the entire venue buzzing.
Bret Michaels’ Parti-Gras 2.0 was not just a concert, but a full-blown celebration of rock and community, a homecoming that solidified Bret’s deep ties to his roots. The evening was packed with nostalgia, high-energy performances, and a sense of camaraderie that only a hometown crowd could bring. For the fans in Central PA, this was indeed “Nothing But a Good Time.” As Bret like to say, this was “all hits….no filler”! What an amazing end of the summer concert season. Hopefully we will see Bret back here next year. I also want to give a shout out to the amazing folks at the Hollywood Casino at PNRC who run this venue. It is a beautiful outdoor venue that is very well run. If you haven’t visited yet, be sure to watch for next year’s lineup and go see a show here. You won’t regret it!
Full Photo Galleries
– Bret Michaels Photos
– Dee Snider Photos
– Mark McGrath Photos
– Great White Photos
– Dave Bray USA Photos
Set List
Talk Dirty to Me
Ride the Wind
Your Mama Don’t Dance
Every Morning (Mark McGrath)
Fly (Mark McGrath)
Look What the Cat Dragged In
Something to Believe In
Unskinny Bop
We’re Not Gonna Take It (Dee Snider)
I Wanna Rock (Dee Snider)
Highway to Hell (Dee Snider)
Every Rose Has It’s Thorn
Nothing But a Good Time
Sweet Home Alabama