Announced in Billboard, the historic Pocono Mountains region will soon, once again, become a bustling entertainment hot spot. From The Roots, a new real estate development and venue management company recently acquired over 200 acres of land housing the nearly 40 million dollar development including the venue formerly known as Mountain Laurel Performing Arts Center and the Tom Ridge Pavilion. From The Roots has multi-million-dollar plans to revitalize and redevelop the property into a sprawling entertainment complex named Poconos Park that will play host to world-class tours and productions, as well as special events starting this summer and fall.

“The facility appealed to us on so many levels,” stated John M. Oakes, CEO/founder of From the Roots. “It’s a beautiful outdoor recreational area and located less than 90 minutes from New York City and Philadelphia, and only 75 minutes from Newark, New Jersey, the Poconos were once one of the biggest vacation and entertainment destinations in the U.S. We aim to make it a “go-to” destination again by moving the venue forward into the 21st century and bringing in the big-name entertainment from around the globe.”

Poconos Park, located in the Mountain Laurel area of Lehman Township, 18 miles north of Stroudsburg in the Bushkill Falls region northwest of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, will operate as a boutique festival site and play host to world-class tours and productions, as well as special events. The complex includes two sizable venues: the Amphitheater at Poconos Park, a more than 10,000-capacity, open-air amphitheater with thousands of seats near the stage, and a beautiful grass lawn for thousands more to enjoy entertainment in the great outdoors. (The amphitheater can also be converted to a 2,600-capacity, fully enclosed venue for year-round performances); and the Lakeside Theater at Poconos Park, a 10,000-square-foot banquet hall is located on a scenic 90-acre lake. (The theater can seat up to 400 people for private events such as banquets, corporate retreats, weddings, etc., and serve as a facility for first-class VIP experiences for concerts, festivals and other large events.)

The venue will continue to undergo several million dollars of construction and renovation, which will include full-service, on-site RV camping with hookups, and much more. Stay tuned for future announcements and be sure to visit www.Poconos­Park.com for the latest event details.

From The Roots is a new music real estate development, venue management, and promotion company founded by veteran entertainment entrepreneur, executive, and marketer John M. Oakes, who specializes in producing festivals and developing events. His credits include Taste Of Chaos, Mayhem Festival, UPROAR Festival, Lost Highway Motorcycle Show & Concert, Four Corners Motorcycle Rally, Vegas BikeFest, MuscleKingz Car Show & Concert Series, High Tide Beach Party & Car Show, and more.

He has worked with a number of Fortune 500 companies, including Rockstar Energy Drink, Ram Trucks, AT&T Wireless, Samsung Mobile, Ford, Jägermeister, Lucas Oil, Coors Light, Harley-Davidson, and more. He has worked with artists from an array of diverse genres, including Toby Keith, Jason Derulo, The Beach Boys, Avenged Sevenfold, and Story of the Year, just to name a few.