New year will bring new event to Marion

Are you going to watch the ball drop on New Year's Eve – again?
Why not watch the first-ever gold nugget drop instead?
Plans are underway for a New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Marion.
The Marion Rotary Club, Marion Business Association, city of Marion and McDowell County are co-sponsors of the event. The McDowell Arts Council Association (MACA), organizers of the Gold Festival and the McDowell Chamber of Commerce are also providing support for the event.
The New Year's Eve celebration will run from 9 p.m. until shortly after midnight on Thursday, Dec. 31 and will include music, food and entertainment.
During the celebration, Main Street will be closed between New and Henderson streets. The event is designed to be family friendly, so no alcohol will be permitted on public streets or sidewalks or public property.
The Marion Business Association is encouraging downtown businesses to remain open during the celebration. So far, Wine Ruels, Carolina Chocolatiers, Bruce's Fabulous Foods, the Crooked Door Coffee Shop and several retail shops plan to be open. The restaurants, coffee shop and retail stores are all planning to offer different types of entertainment, food or sales. Entertainment at private businesses is scheduled to include a DJ playing '80s and 90s music at Wine Ruels, karaoke at Bruce's Fabulous Foods, musical performances by Freddie Bradburn and Ruth Wakefield at the Crooked Door Coffee Shop and music at Carolina Chocolatiers.
MACA will be a focal point of the celebration and host a DJ playing oldies music. There will be plenty of room for dancing and socializing.
During the celebration, First Baptist Church will be open for people to take Communion and to have quiet meditation. Carriage rides around the downtown area will also be available for a small charge.
Nonprofit, church and civic organizations are encouraged to consider selling "fun food" items such as hot chocolate, cider, pretzels, nuts and candied apples during the New Year's Eve celebration. There will be no charge to participate as a food vendor but registration is required to make sure there is a good mixture of items being sold. Organizations interested in registering may contact Debi Sherlin at City Hall at 652-3551 or dsherlin@marionnc.org.
Plans are also being developed for a possible scavenger hunt for youngsters.
Restrooms will be available during the celebration at the courthouse and at MACA.
The Marion Police Department, Marion Fire Department and McDowell County EMS will have vehicles on display during the celebration and provide security and medical assistance for the event. The Marion Business Association is seeking car clubs interested in holding cruise-ins during the event. The Highway 70 Cruisers plan to have a cruise-in on Main Street as part of the celebration. Other car clubs that are interested in participating are encouraged to contact the Marion Business Association office at 652-2215.
At midnight, organizers of the Gold Festival will drop a large replica of a gold nugget from a crane on the courthouse lawn.
The celebration is being funded through contributions from the Marion Rotary Club and McDowell Chamber of Commerce. The city of Marion will provide staffing support for the event through its police, public works and fire departments, with assistance from the Marion Business Association and McDowell County.
The idea for a New Year's Eve Celebration began as an initiative of Marion Rotary Club President Bob Limone, who asked Bobbie Young of the Marion Business Association, City Manager Bob Boyette and County Manager Chuck Abernathy to serve as co-chairs of the event.
"This will be a historic event for Marion and McDowell County that will provide wholesome fun for the entire family," Limone said. "There will be no reason for people to go out of town on New Year's Eve because they can have a great time in downtown Marion."
Marion Mayor Steve Little stated, "The city of Marion and other participating organizations hope to start a tradition with the New Year's Eve celebration that can be built upon for years to come. This is truly a community event, given the number of organizations involved. We hope people will come to the celebration and have a great time."
For further information, contact City Manager Bob Boyette at 652-3551 or bboyette@marionnc.org or Marion Business Association Promotions Coordinator Bobbie Young at 652-2215 or bobbiey@verizon.net.