COLUMBUS — Times Square”s may be the biggest, but it won”t be the only ball drop and party to talk about this New Year”s Eve. Golden Triangle revelers will have their own glittering globe to count down the final seconds to midnight with, on Dec. 31.
Main Street Columbus and presenting sponsor Stark Aerospace are busy with final preparations for the “Having a Ball Downtown New Year”s Eve Block Party” in downtown Columbus. Encouraged by ticket sales of about 400 to last year”s debut of the event, organizers are adding a more elaborate ball, a drawing for a cruise to Mexico and specials at participating establishments to the mix.
The block party, from 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m., will take place at Leadership Plaza, in the block of College Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets South. An outdoor concert by Citizen Kane is set to begin at 9:30 p.m.
“This is an award-winning block party,” said Amber Brislin, director of Main Street Columbus. “It”s the only ball drop in the state and was named one of the best special events of 2008 by the Mississippi Main Street Association.”
Glenn Machine Works designed and is manufacturing the 10-by-10-foot ball, which will be covered in lights and suspended by crane 150 feet in the air. WCBI-TV will broadcast live from the celebration from 11:50 p.m. to 12:05 a.m.
“A $10 wristband serves as admission to the block party and is also your ticket to promotions at participating downtown restaurants and nightspots,” Brislin stated.
Harvey”s, Huck”s Place, Zachary”s, The Princess Theater, Fuhgetaboutit and The Elbow Room are offering New Year”s Eve Block Party specials.
“Harvey”s, for instance, is giving a free appetizer to customers with a wristband on,” said the director. “Huck”s is planning a holiday drink special.”
Sail away
A four-day cruise for two to Mexico is a major addition to festivities.
Brislin explained, “You”ll have a (block party) ”passport” you get stamped at each participating place you visit. After you”ve gone to at least three places, you can drop your card in the bin at the party. The drawing for the cruise will be right after the midnight countdown. You have to be present to win.”
Beverages, including hot chocolate and coffee, will be for sale at the block party. Heaters will also be set up.
“The more events we do downtown and the more cross-promotion, it not only creates a community event, it also helps promote those businesses downtown and keeps them downtown. It”s a definite win-win for everybody,” said Brislin.
How to go
Wristbands go on sale today at the office of Main Street Columbus, 107 Fifth St. N. They will also be sold at the block party gate Dec. 31, beginning at 7 p.m., Brislin said. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus at 662-328-6305.
Visit www.columbusmainstreet.com to view specific downtown promotions to be added in the days leading up to the block party and ball drop.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
