When you think of festivities on New Year’s Eve, you think of the evening. After all, “eve” is short for evening.
The City of Mobile is not waiting until evening to start celebrating New Year’s Eve. Starting at 11 a.m., they will have free all-day activities.
New Year’s Eve this year is on Tuesday, December 31.
Activities kick off with two things for the kids. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. is the Kids Zone. Bounce houses, crafts, MoonPie treats and a Second Line March to see the noon MoonPie Drop for kids. It’s a smaller version of the main midnight drop.
The day’s events are highlighted that night on the Main Stage by headliner Clint Black at 11 p.m. and the midnight MoonPIe Drop.
In between, there are activities, and they are all free:
6:30 p.m.: DJ DALTON MUSE
Get hyped at the main stage with DJ Dalton Muse as he plays between acts through 12:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m.: BEST DECORATED UMBRELLA CONTEST
Come show off your best decorated Mardi Gras umbrella for a chance to win a prize
and lead the parade. Contest will be held in the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel Courtyard
7:30 p.m.: THE PORT CITY SECONDLINERS AND THE JUKEBOX BRASS BAND
The Port City Secondliners featuring the Jukebox Brass Band will be getting down in the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel Courtyard.
7:45 p.m.: CUTTING OF THE MOONPIE
Enjoy a piece of the World’s Largest MoonPie in the Courtyard of the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel.
8:10 p.m.: SECOND LINE PARADE
March with us from Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel Courtyard to the Main Stage led by elected officials. The public is invited to bring a Mardi Gras umbrella and join the procession!
8:30 p.m.: OPENING REMARKS
Councilman Cory Penn, District 1; Councilman William Carroll, District 2 Councilman Ben Reynolds, District 4; On the Main Stage
8:45 p.m.: OPENING ACT: THE JUKEBOX BRASS BAND
On the Main Stage
9:30 p.m.: OPENING ACT: GRAYSON CAPPS
On the Main Stage
11:00 p.m.: HEADLINER: CLINT BLACK
On the Main Stage
MIDNIGHT
Countdown On the Main Stage and MoonPie Drop
This year marks the 17th anniversary of MoonPie dropping in Mobile. Since New Year's Eve 2008, Mobile has been lowering a 12-foot-tall lighted mechanical moon pie to celebrate the coming of the new year alongside performances from national musical acts. The giant moon pie descends the 34-story RSA Trustmark building at the stroke of midnight. Earlier in the evening, the world's largest moon pie is cut and served to the public as part of the festivities. This FREE event is attended by over 50,000 revelers every year.
MoonPies became famous and traditional in Mardi Gras parades in the streets of downtown Mobile each annual Mardi Gras season. In the 20-plus parades preceding Mardi Gras Day, tens of thousands of MoonPies are thrown to the parade watchers by the riders on Mardi Gras floats. That beloved tradition led to the idea of the MoonPie drop at midnight to bring in the New Year.
Additional information on Mobile’s New Year’s Eve activities can be found here.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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