by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
Here’s this year’s sampling of the parties and events you can attend for New Year’s Eve, from the Gatorbowl and club events to places to eat as you ring in the New Year!
December 31st, New Year’s EveWinn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl ParadeDowntown Jacksonville: 3 p.m. $10 Reserved Parade SeatYou are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade. The “Still Rockin’ at 60”-themed parade features colorful floats, high school bands, college bands, giant helium balloons, and entertaining specialty units. The units will be routed through the Northbank in downtown Jacksonville.
Gator Bowl Pep RalliesThe Jacksonville Landing CourtyardVisiting Team Pep Rally: 1:30 p.m.Home Team (ACC) Pep Rally: 5:30 p.m.Get pumped up for the Toyota Gator Bowl Classic! Excited fans are invited to show their team spirit at the Pep Rallies at The Jacksonville Landing. Join the bands, cheerleaders, and mascot in the excitement on New Year’s Eve.
Alltel Stadium Entertainment Zone: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.$10 at the gate or FREE admission with “THE PATCH” (Go to www.gatorbowl.com to learn more)
Enjoy the thrill and excitement of college football as thousands of out-of-town fans come together to celebrate their team in a festive and family-oriented entertainment atmosphere. Truly a party where team spirit abounds, there will be pep rallies, cheerleaders and bands from both Universities that will be sure to ignite the passion in every college football fan. A multitude of interactive games to test your athletic skills, a variety of inflatables for kids of all ages to enjoy and all of your tailgating concession essentials make this a Tailgate Party not to miss!
ALLTEL Stadium: 12:00 Noon
Check out the New Year’s Eve Party in the Jacksonville Landing Courtyard Festivities include live entertainment at The Landing stage. Club Paris will be injecting some style into the Landing festivities with Fred’s New Years Royal Black and White Tie Party! Packages range from $30 for first floor admission up to the most excusive VIP lounge. Call (904) 918-3999 for VIP details and (904) 633-9477 to reserve other tickets. At Twisted Martini a variety of VIP packages are available, with champagne menus all night, party favors, live feed of Times Square on 10 TV’s and 4 big screens. As usual they only serve the finest premium sprits. Space is limited so make your reservations today. (904) 353-8464
Count down to 2007 with a spectacular fireworks display over the St. Johns River to light up the night sky and celebrate the New Year. Watch the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular at Midnight from the Landing or anywhere else in Downtown Jacksonville with a view of the river. Presented by The City of Jacksonville. VyStar Credit Union 5K Run is at 2PM at the Jacksonville Landing. The VyStar Financial Group 5K Run is a great way to get involved with all the excitement the Toyota Gator Bowl has to offer. If running, walking, or biking is your thing, this race is for you. The race is held right before the Gator Bowl Parade, and runs along the parade route through downtown Jacksonville. Each entrant will receive a VyStar Credit Union 5K Run T-shirt. Cost: $17 until December 24, $20 December 25-30 and $25 on race day.
At Aromas the cigars are included at this semi-upscale wine and cigar bar. Black Tie, Black Jeans, Who Cares!! The starts at 9PM at both locations (Southside and Ponte Vedra) with party favors and a champagne toast. Call (904) 280-2525 (PVB)/ (904) 928-0515 for ticket reservations.
The Atlantic will have party favors, a special sushi menu and the traditional champagne toast. They’re open through 4AM www.the-atlantic.com (904)249-3338.
Martini’s & Club Vegas New Year’s Eve Blowout $10 All U Can Drink Blowout including Champagne - DJ KGB & DJ Coop Brink in the New Year. Martini’s & Club Vegas, 1187 Edgewood Ave South - 9:29 pm
New Year’s Eve Party with Big Al & the Kaholics at Cheers! Cheers will be having a champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and the place will be decorated like Times Square. The kitchen will be open until 10 pm for those last minute appetizers to soak up the alcohol. Cover charge $10, Cheers in Mandarin, 11475 San Jose Blvd., 9:30pm-1:30am.
Just a $10 cover will grant you access to all of Bourbon Street Station, Crazy Horse Saloon, Mardi Gras, the Latin Quarter, the Blue Room and the Varsity Club. Expect lots of prizes, with one giveaway every 15 minutes starting at 9PM, including a 2 karat diamond tennis bracelet and $10,000 in cash prizes. A complimentary champagne toast will happen at midnight. (904) 641-8777
Have a funky blues New Year with Mofro at Freebird. New Year’s Eve Mofro plays with the Lee Boys. Cost is $28 prior and $30 the day of the show. 246-BIRD (2473) Latitudes Café and Martini Bar. All you can eat and drink, live music, party favors and a champagne toast for just $60 in advance or $70 at the door. (904) 247-6606
Ocean Club party ‘till 4AM, with a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. Watch a live feed of Times Square for the big ball drop www.oceanclubjax.com (904) 242-8884
If you haven’t been to Square One, New Year’s Eve just might be the time to check it out. Located in the San Marco shopping district of Jacksonville, it’s where you can celebrate the New Year in style with El Toro Loco, party favors and the standard champagne toast.
The infamous Tradewinds Lounge will be partying New Year’s in St. Augustine. It’s the the oldest lounge in the oldest city. Limited seating with live music by Matanzas. 124 Charlotte St.(904)829-9336
For a quintessential Florida experience, head to Whitey’s Fish Camp in Orange Park. Once again the Boogie Freaks will entertain. There will be giveaways all night, a balloon drop, champagne toast and breakfast at midnight. Come in a boat and stay all night! Bloody Mary’s served in the AM. Call (904)269-4198
December 31, 2006. Midnight.
Tybee Island Pier - Tybrisa St. & Strand Ave.
For the second year fireworks will launch at midnight from the end of the Pier to celebrate the New Year. Come early to capture that perfect spot in the sand. Free parking.
January 1, 2007. 9:00AM-1:00PM.
Tybee Island Pier - Tybrisa St. & Strand Ave.
This quirky event, now in its sixth year, is a perfect fit for Tybee Island. Last year over 3,000 people participated some in costumes, even a wedding dress or two. Meet at the Tybee Pier at 9:00am for a noon plunge into the icy Atlantic. Don't be late! This may be the only thing on Tybee that starts on time.
Most every hotel with a restaurant and bar will be holding some kind of New Year’s bash, get a room so you can just trundle up to bed after getting completely snockered. The beaches have a myriad of bar/hotel options. Here’s just two of the places you can go in Ponte Verdra, St. Augstine and Amelia Island:
At the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, you can take in New Year’s Eve at their Glacial Gala at the Polar Bar featuring a martini ice luge. Take a walk in the ice garden, enjoy live music, dancing, extravagant buffet, open bar, complimentary champagne and midnight fireworks. Cost is $175 per person. There are also packages that include rooms. Call (904) 277-1028 for info.
SwingIn’ the New Year 2007. Popular ‘60s band The Swingin’ Medallions will return to Northeast Florida to again perform at the big New Year’s Eve bash at The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. Famous for such classics as the million-selling “Double Shot (of My Baby’s Love)” and “Hey, Hey, Baby”, The Swingin’ Medallions are known for their impressive stage shows, and are often called “The Party Band of the South.” The “SwingIn’ the New Year 2007” festivities will be on Sunday, December 31, 2006 in the resort’s St. Augustine Ballroom. The Renaissance Resort is offering several New Year’s Eve packages. “The Party Package” is $125 per person (plus tax), and it includes admission to the party, a four-course buffet dinner, an open bar throughout the evening, champagne toast at midnight, party favors, a huge balloon drop, and a “Resolution Breakfast” after midnight. Other packages include deluxe accommodations for one or two nights as well as golf packages. For reservations, or for information on any of the packages, call (904) 940-8000 or (888) 740-7020, or visit www. WorldGolfRenaissance.com.
You can party, eat fabulous food or both at the Marriot Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra. Packages run from $49-$99. Choose from two venues within the hotel. There will be a Vegas style casino for entertainment as well as live acts and all the usual drinks and favors. (904) 285-7777.
You’ll need to make a reservation at any of these restaurants for New Year’s Eve. Call quickly because they fill up fast. All the costs don’t include tax or gratuity.
The Grape (904) 642-7111 and Simon’s (904) 396-8088 are both wine bars that will feature a great spread for New Year’s Eve. Call for reservations, they are both filling up fast. The Grape will have a six course wine dinner at $100 a person, including a champagne toast. Simons will have a multiple course dinner paired with wine and a midnight toast as well.
If you’re heading for an Irish pub keep in mind that most of them celebrate New Year’s twice. Once at 7PM, when Ireland rings in the New Year, and once at Midnight. Fionn MacCools VIP package will include an open bar and a three course meal at $100 per person. Don’t Tell Amy will be the live entertainment from 9PM on. Culhane’s will have two seatings, one at 7PM and one at 9PM for $60 a person. Expect a sumptuous set menu. The Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant (904) 270-0025 will be holding a Greek themed New Year’s with music from Greek Wave. Leg of lamb, whole roasted snapper, baklava and a chocolate fountain are the main attractions. The cost is $100 per person.
There’s going to be a great party at the Beaches Woman’s Club at 2nd Avenue North and Penman Road for New Year’s Eve. It will be catered by JJ’s Bistro of Ponte Vedra and for an evening with Rod Stewart Tribute Artist Kenny Holliday. There will be a complimentary Champagne Toast at midnight. The proceeds of the evening will go to benefit Make A Wish foundation to finish off their Children Of Light campaign. Please come out and celebrate this great cause. Tickets are $65.00/each. If you wish to purchase a ticket; please call Donna LeTellier at 537-1629 to reserve.
Take in New Year’s at the “Pelican Club” for a trip down memory lane to the nightclub era, the 20’s thru the 40’s. The show starts at 8:30pm - 1:00 am at Players By The Sea Tickets are $50.00 in advance Limited VIP seating available ON THE STAGE! Table for 2 including a bottle of Champagne is $150.00 Martini Bar, Beer, Wine, after show hor doerves and sodas included.
Not everyone lives to see the new year when Murder Mystery Players, Inc. serve up hearty laughs with a special New Year’s Eve at Dave & Buster’s. This fun-filled, interactive, murder mystery includes dinner as well as the performance. The evening begins at 8:00pm. Audience members have a chance to win prizes and decide who did what to whom. New Year’s Eve will never be the same as guests enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, a chef-crafted four-course meal, complimentary power card, champagne toast, midnight celebration, and a hilarious mystery performance. The package price is $130.00 per couple + tax and gratuity. To make reservations for this hilarious evening of murder mystery and audience participation, call Dave & Buster’s at (904) 296-1525. Reservations are required, as seating is limited. www.mysteryplayers.com.
Get to the Comedy Zone for a night of laughs, food, drinks and dancing. A lavish buffet in GiGi’s with prime rib and crab legs, favors, a champagne toast and comics Ronnie Bullard, Tim Statum and Al Ernst are part of the evening. Tickets are $69.97 per person plus tax. You can also separately arrange to stay at the Ramada Inn. (904) 268-8080
At Atlantic Theatres, this year’s theme is going to be everything 007 and feature several rooms with various activities and screenings. Music will be provided by DJ Casey, of the Maxim national tour, local celebrity DJ Kevin Durgin and DJ Infader. Jon’Ra will headline a special live musical performance later in the evening. Food, valet parking, and a complimentary champagne toast will be included. Tickets:$50 for General / $90 each for VIP. Atlantic Theatres, 751 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach - 8 pm Info: 249.PLAY (7529) or info@atlantictheatres.com.
There won’t be another place you’ll rather be than St. Augustine Beach to kick off another great year! Enjoy a blast of flavor, icy sculptures and fireworks when several St. Augustine favorite restaurants serve up chili recipes for tasting and judging at the Fire and Ice Chili Cook-off from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. While tasting these fiery delights, enjoy the icy art of professional ice sculptor, Mike Riesmeyer. After things cool off from the chili – the Fireworks begin at 7:30 p.m. This display will stun visitors and help usher in the New Year! Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, St. Johns County Fishing Pier and Pavilion. Info: (904) 829-5681 or www.stjohnscountychamber.com
Join the Red Trains and rock into the New Year on Ripley’s Rock’n New Years Train. Enjoy music from decades past while you and your family ride through town enjoying the night sights! Start the New Year off right with good will and good cheer! Tuesday, Dec. 26 – Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006 at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum or City Gates Train Station, 6 pm to 9 pm, Admission: $6 adults, $3 children. Info: (904) 824-1606 or www.redtrains.com.
Don’t miss these 3 days inside Georgia’s Jekyll Island Convention Center. If you love Bluegrass, December 28th Audie Blaylock & Redline, The Steep Canyon Rangers, The Primitive Quartet, The Larry Stephenson Band and Nothin’ Fancy. Friday, December 30th Williams & Clark Expedition, The Gary Waldrep Band, The Village Singers, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Pine Mountain Railroad. Saturday, December 30th The Carolina Road Bank, The Bluegrass Brothers, The Cherryholmes Family, The Josh Crowe Band, The Lewis Family, Jesse McReynolds & The VA Boys, Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys! Go to www.aandabluegrass.com for tickets and details. (707) 864-7203.
River City Social & Travel Club’s Annual New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl can help you bar hop in three different neighborhoods (The Beaches, Southside and Orange Park) without getting a DUI. Starting at one of four stops in each area, you will be transported via bus to a different pub, bar or restaurant every hour until arriving at your last destination, located at or near your starting hotel/bar, in time for your champagne toast to ring in the new year. The cost is only $39.95 if purchased NOW and $49.95 shortly, pending availability. They highly recommend you get a room, and to make it even easier by arranging for reduced rates at various area hotels. Go to http://www.rivercityclub.com/ for more information or call (904) 505-4746.
At 3PM on December 31st in Downtown Jacksonville. Five winners from a contest conducted by the Florida Dairy Farmers and the Gator Bowl Association will be selected to judge the 2006 Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade. The contest is open to all Jacksonville-area children between the ages of 6 and 12. Kids entering the contest are asked to complete the sentence: “When I’ve got milk? I’ve got a smile because...” The winners of the contest are declared Got Milk? Half Pint Judges. They are responsible for selecting one favorite float from the 2006 Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade, from a kid’s point of view, to receive the Got Milk? Half Pint Award. The little judges will receive “Got Milk?” items and prizes and will ride in the 2006 Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade to be held on Sunday, December 31, 2006. Contact: Pat Corda (904) 798-1700
At Adventure Landing from 10:00AM-2:00PM on New Year’s Eve Day kids will like the The Annual Noon Years Eve Balloon Drop with over 500 prize filled balloons for 3 different age groups: 4 & Under, 5 – 8 & 9 – 12. Unlimited Go-Karts, Laser Tag & Mini Golf from 10:00AM-2:00PM for only $10.00. Special must be purchased to participate in balloon drop (4 & under FREE). Visit www.adventurelanding.com or call (904) 246-4386 for more information!.
3...2...1... Happy Noon Year’s Eve!! Help ring in the New Year at the Jacksonville Zoo with Radio Disney’s Noon Year’s Eve celebration! They’ll pass out the party hats and noisemakers and count down the minutes until 2007 with music and entertainment and do an apple juice toast at 12 noon. Enjoy Columbia Recording artists, The Beau Sisters. And have fun with Radio Disney AM 600’s own “Spikey T” and welcome special guest host, “Ernie D” - national Radio Disney afternoon show personality. December 31 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.
December 26, 2006 - January 6, 2007
Join the crew at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as they celebrate the New Year with music from around the world. Kids will enjoy the giant inflatable slides and bouncy house, face painting, and animal encounters as well as different entertainment planned for each day. Call 757-4463 or check the website www.jaxzoo.org for a schedule of each day’s activities and hours of operation.
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