WLOX Channel 13 in Biloxi, Mississippi checked in on the progress of the Margaritaville Casino under construction on the Gulf Coast and found that work is moving at a dizzying pace.

Officials say the casino is on pace for a Memorial Weekend 2012 opening.

Watch the video report:

The Shreveport Times reports that Bossier City residents have approved plans to expand gaming to include a new Margaritaville Casino and Resort:

Sixty-one percent of Bossier Parish voters said “yes” Saturday to expanding riverboat gaming to include a new 18-story Margaritavile-themed resort casino, unofficial but complete results show. Thirty-nine percent voted in opposition.

“We’re ecstatic and so pleased that the citizens of Bossier had the confidence in us to do this,” said Deborah Harkins, a spokeswoman for the casino project.

The $195 million project will feature a single level gaming floor with 1,275 slot machines, 38 table games and the Margaritaville trademark It’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere bar. In addition, the 400-room resort hotel will include a two-story entertainment complex, spa and fitness center, lavish pool area with swim up bar and a 400-seat Margartaville restaurant.

Construction on the Margaritaville Casino and Resort is expected to begin January 1st with a grand opening in May 2013.

On Oct. 14th at 5 O’clock in the evening Margaritaville broke the World Record for the largest margarita ever made as verified by Guinness World Records. The event was part of the Grand Opening festivities for the new Margaritaville Casino at Flamingo in Las Vegas.

Halfway through the ceremony celebrating the new World Record, Jimmy Buffett surprised fans by coming out and raising a glass of Lucky Rita with the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team along with Flamingo’s Rick Mazer and Margaritaville’s Tamara Baldanza in front of more than 1,000 Parrotheads and onlookers.

“Much appreciation for these great wounded warriors, who I’ve worked with for a long time. Gentleman, thank you for coming out. We’re going to have a good time this weekend. Let the FIN begin,” said Buffett.

Lucky Rita is now on sale to the public allowing guests a taste of history and an opportunity to contribute to a great cause. For every gallon of Lucky Rita sold, Margaritaville will donate $5 to the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. More than a margarita, Lucky Rita is a concoction with a cause.

“I am thrilled we have expanded our relationship with Margaritaville,” said Rick Mazer president of Flamingo Las Vegas, “and now together we have opened the first-ever Margaritaville Casino.”

After six months of planning, the mixing of the colossal 8,500 gallon beverage, appropriately named “Lucky Rita,” began its first pour on Oct. 11, 2011. Lucky Rita took an estimated 300 work hours to mix the concoction.

The Flamingo Las Vegas confirmed today that Jimmy Buffett will be on hand this Friday as the Lucky Rita world record margarita is topped off and the first drink is poured from it.

So be sure to come out on Friday to celebrate and see Jimmy at the grand opening ceremony! Then stick around the next day to see him perform at the MGM Grand!

Meanwhile, watch the progress on Lucky Rita live here.

Get more details on the world record attempt here.

To celebrate the grand opening of the Margaritaville gaming area at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, Jimmy’s crew is attempting the world record largest margarita.

Starting today, workers will begin to fill the 31 ft. tall tank dubbed Lucky Rita. You can watch live around the clock at www.margaritaville.com/luckyrita.html

When full, Lucky Rita will contain 8,500 gallons! What’s the recipe?

• 2,125 gallons Margaritaville Gold Tequila
• 708 gallons Margaritaville Triple Sec
• 5,667 gallons Margarita Mix
• 22,267 limes

The official Lucky Rita and Margaritaville Grand Opening ceremony will be held on October 14th with the final pour intended to set the world record for the Guinness Book. Then from October 14th through the 23rd, over 181,333 margaritas will be served, coinciding with the 7th annual Margaritaville street party.