We’ve got fireworks, food, fun and bowling to ring in 2023

Christmas is a wrap, but the countdown is on for the end of the year. There’s all sorts of way to welcome 2023 in this week’s The 10 for Dec. 26-Jan 1.

It’s Camellia Bowl Time!

Georgia Southern and Buffalo Bulls face off Tuesday in Montgomery for the 2022 Camellia Bowl.

Yes, our own college football bowl game back. Special things you should know this time around include that the Camellia Bowl kicks off on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl. It has returning champions Georgia Southern and Buffalo. You’re going to pay $20 to park there, unless you got one of the reallllllllly nice ticket packages. They’re still available at camelliabowl.com. Of course, there are road closures and detours around Cramton Bowl. Have fun. Stay warm. And if you’re not going to the game and need to get back and forth from downtown through that stretch of Madison Avenue (closed!) do yourself a favor and take the long way around through Highland Avenue or I-85.

Go ‘ice’ skating on Montgomery’s riverfront

Guests ice skate on the temporary rink set up over the splash pad at Riverfront Park in Montgomery.

Now through the end of 2022, you can put on some blades and skate for free at Riverfront Park. The rink has been set up on the top of the hill, back side of the amphitheater on the splash pad area. Skating is from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day. No reservations required. Just show up, sign a waiver, and you can skate for a half-hour. Want to skate more than that? No problem. As long as there’s not a big group behind you waiting to get on the ice, you can sign up again. Don’t be afraid of freezing your butt when you fall, aside from the dropping temperatures outside. The surface isn’t actual ice, but it’s still slick enough to skate on. Make your way into Riverfront Park by going through the tunnel on Commerce Street, take a right and go toward the amphitheater.

See ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ before it’s gone

William DeMeritt and Madeleine Lambert portray George and Mary Bailey in "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at ASF.

It’s the final stretch for Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” which ends its run on New Year’s Eve. You know the classic movie. Well, it was also a radio play in the ‘40s. What you’ll get at ASF is a view into how a radio production of the classic Christmas story was presented, complete with all the ways they made sound effects. Get tickets now at asf.net.

New Year’s Eve Weekend at The Sanctuary

There's a two-day NYE weekend event Friday and Saturday at The Sanctuary.

Friday and Saturday, The Backroads tour will be hosting live bands, DJs, producers, craft vendors, live artists and more from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at The Sanctuary, 432 Goldthwaite St., Montgomery. Friday’s live bands are: V8 Deathcar, Venusville, Terrible Lovers, LemonYaki, and Grasping at Pieces. Saturday’s a dance party with GEEKU, ECAAPS, Wermzer, Clemanzo, Treylude, Roger Rayne and Parrot. It’ll be $25 general admission at the door, but you can get a discount for buying early online at https://backwoodsmusicfestival.com/tour. This is for ages 18 and up. Call 334-245-4546 for more info.

New Year’s Eve party cruise on Harriott II

The Harriott II riverboat will hold a New Year's Eve cruise.

Take a leisurely cruise down the Alabama River on Saturday night as you watch fireworks at midnight and drink a champagne toast in a keepsake glass. It’s the Harriott II riverboat’s New Year’s Eve cruise. Tickets are $75 per person for inside reserved seating, or $45 per person for outside patio seating. All guests must be 21 and up. Come aboard at 10 p.m. Call 334-625-2100.

City of Montgomery NYE fun and fireworks

Montgomery will have a fireworks show at midnight from Riverfront Park.

The city of Montgomery is celebrating New Year’s Eve at Riverwalk Amphitheater from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. It’s free to attend. There will be live music, a DJ, food vendors, and the Red Bluff bar will be open. There’s a huge fireworks show at midnight.

Fireworks in Wetumpka

Watch fireworks from Gold Star Park in Wetumpka on New Year's Eve.

Want a relaxing evening with just fireworks at midnight for New Year’s Eve? You can welcome 2023 at Wetumpka’s Gold Star Park, where they’ll have a fireworks show that starts at just before midnight. Bring chairs and blankets.

New Year’s Eve Gala at Embassy Suites

The A Night with the Stars New Year's Eve Gala is Saturday at Embassy Suites Hotel.

It’s a special night of celebration, welcoming the new year, and raising funds for Project Perseverance on Saturday for the A Night with the Stars New Year’s Eve Gala at Embassy Suites Hotel, 300 Tallapoosa St. in downtown Montgomery. Tickets are $50. It’s a partnership between Project Perseverance and Omega Iota Iota for their education and scholarship fund drive. Get tickets online at projectp2007.org.

More NYE fun to be found

New Year's Eve is almost here, and there are lots of ways to celebrate around the River Region.

4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. — New Year’s Eve at Ravello Ristorante, 36 Commerce St., Montgomery. Guests can enjoy a four-course dining experience in the Front Mezzanine, Rear Mezzanine, or Main Floor for $100, with the option of a wine pairing menu for an additional $70. Or, guests can enjoy a five-course dining experience at the Chef’s Table for $150, with the option of a wine pairing menu for an additional $95. Reservations for this event can be made only in person or by calling 334-356–2852.
5 p.m to 1 a.m. — New Year’s Eve party at Taste, 5251 Hampstead High St., Unit 100. Bar food and light bites from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. $10 cover after 9 p.m. Live DJ, party favors and champagne toast at midnight.
7 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party at Carl’s Country, 426 County Road 4 W, Prattville. Mask up and have fun. Music by Beth Cooper Band. There will be party favors, a champagne toast, and catered breakfast at midnight.
8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. — New Year’s Eve Rock-A-Thon with Jones Social Club at Pour Stars, 557 N. Eastern Blvd., Montgomery.
8 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Party with American Legion Post 133, 4980 Main St., Millbrook. Sandwiches and fixings available. Bring finger foods, chips, dips and snacks to share. Marvtones play at 8 p.m. Prizes and drawings, plus champagne at midnight.
9 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Soiree at Wishbone Café, 6667 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery. Dressy casual. Reserved tables available. $25 advance admission until Dec. 28. Armbands available at Wishbone Café. DJ Swan-Solo.
9 p.m. — New Year’s Eve party at Big Star Tavern, 1449 Hwy 82 W., Prattville. Wear your best cowboy and cowgirl attire. Music by Chris Eiland and The Hired Guns.
9 p.m. — NYE with Taunton at Thirsty Turtle, 4884 Main St., Millbrook. Finger food, balloon drop, champagne at Midnight. First time on stage there for Taunton.
9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. — NYE Bash and Ball Drop at Launch Trampoline Park, 891 Boardroom Drive, Prattville. $49 a person, all ages — 15 and under accompanied by an adult.
10 p.m. — Music with Grandon Jordan and Ruckertown Road at Range 231 N., 3250 Wetumpka Highway, Montgomery.
10 p.m. to 1 a.m. — New Year’s Eve bowling at Bama Lanes Montgomery, 3020 Atlanta Highway. Book in advance to reserve a line for $100 for up to six people — unlimited bowling, shoe rental, party favors, champagne toast (21 and up), and giveaways. They also have it for $25 a person at the door on night of, depending on availability. Visit bamalanesusa.com or call 334-272-5423.

Hank Williams 70^th Memorial Celebration on New Year’s Day

Hank Williams gravesite at Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery.

New Year’s Day marks the 70th anniversary of country music icon Hank Williams’ death. Folks will gather Sunday to remember Hank with a 10 a.m. wreath laying ceremony at his grave in Oakwood Cemetery Annex. From 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Hank Williams Museum, 118 Commerce St., Montgomery, will honor his memory with live music from the Shepard Family, Mike Ball and David Church. The museum music is $10 for members, and $15 for nonmembers.

Source link