The sounds of "Joy to the World" will be flowing via the streets of downtown Mobile on New Year's Eve. But do not get your vacation songs confused. Legendary music group 3 Dog Evening will probably be headlining the free Mobile celebration leading to the giant MoonPie Drop at midnight.
Along with listening towards the leading hits of Three Dog Evening and the opening acts, revelers will appreciate a Mardi Gras-style parade, a laser light display and magnificent fireworks. Whether you choose RC Cola or perhaps a glass of champagne, ring in the New Year in downtown Mobile.
This year's free celebration will probably be located around the corner of Government Boulevard and Royal Street. The new stage place will allow for bigger crowds and great views of the MoonPie and the fireworks shows. The 12-foot-tall electronic MoonPie will descend from the 34-story RSA BankTrust skyrise as the city welcomes 2012 and the beginning of Mardi Gras season.
"Downtown Mobile is going to be the place to become this New Year's Eve," said Mayor Sam Jones. "Last year we had greater than 40,000 people attend MoonPie Over Mobile and we hope to create it even bigger this year." First began in 2008, MoonPie Over Mobile provides locals and tourists an opportunity to experience New Year's Eve having a bit of Mardi Gras flavor. "It is time to 'Celebrate,' just such as the Three Dog Night song."
Why a MoonPie?
Mobile is the home of America's first Mardi Gras celebration, and also the MoonPie will be the favored "throw" of the countless Mardi Gras maskers riding the floats throughout the substantial Mardi Gras parade season. MoonPies had been first thrown from Mardi Gras floats in 1952. Today, Mobile consumes more than 4 million MoonPies yearly, and has adopted the delicious treat as an informal emblem. For your MoonPie More than Mobile celebration, this southern city has teamed up with Chattanooga Bakery, the maker in the iconic MoonPie marshmallow sandwich, to create the largest electronic MoonPie because the featured attraction for its New Year's Eve celebration. This is actually the third year an electronic edition of the scrumptious treat will light up downtown Mobile.
Mardi Gras was first found within the New World in 1703 at Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff, the very first settlement in Mobile. The very first masked parading society, the Cowbellion de Rakin society, was formed in 1830. Mobile presently has more than 50 parading and non-parading organizations. An estimated 850,000 individuals attend parades, parties and other organizations associated with the carnival festivities. This number will likely increase with the enhanced MoonPie Over Mobile celebration.
MoonPie Over Mobile Timeline - December 31, 2011
7:30 p.m. - New Year's Eve Parade, Mardi Gras Design.
8:30 - 11:00 p.m. - Live entertainment on the Primary Stage.
11:00 p.m. - Three Dog Evening performs around the Main Stage.
11:30 p.m. - Light show starts downtown.
11:59 p.m. - Countdown starts because the giant MoonPie descends from atop the RSA BankTrust Building.
Midnight - Laser and fireworks display over downtown Mobile.
12:30 a.m. - 3 Dog Evening performance concludes. Crowds enter downtown bars, restaurants and hotels to continue celebrating the New Year.
For particulars on MoonPie More than Mobile, visit www.mobilenewyear.com. Info on going to Mobile and pictures can be discovered at www.mobile.org. More info on 3 Dog Night is available at www.threedognight.com. B-Roll and pictures are available upon request.
