Local Man Pops the Question on Parx Big Screens

Bensalem resident Matt Friend asked his girlfriend Ashley Smith, also of Bensalem, to marry him on Valentine’s Day.

Sounds ordinary, right? Plenty of people get engaged on Feb. 14.

But Matt pulled out all the stops by getting Parx Casino involved in the engagement.

According to Parx spokesperson Carrie Nork Minelli, the couple has been dating for over a year and they visited Parx a couple months ago and “loved it.”

“It was Matt’s idea to ask the casino if we would help with his proposal using our giant outdoor screens,” Minelli said. “I heard about this request and loved the idea. We jumped on board and had our internal design team make custom screens with the big question.”

The surprise proposal took place as the couple’s car entered the valet drop-off.

The three jumbo screens were bright pink and held a photo of the happy couple in a big Valentine heart. “Ashley, will you marry me?” was visible from Street Road.

Matt and Ashley had friends and family at the casino to watch the big moment happen and Parx hosted the happy couple for a romantic dinner at Parx Grill following the engagement.

“I have to say – it was really sweet,” Minelli said. “I was truly happy to help Matt make this dream come true! “