Austin's New Year's Eve party expected to be bigger than last year
Details were announced Wednesday for Austin’s "New Year’s Eve" party.
The big send off for 2017 is expected to be bigger than last year.
The Latin Funk ensemble, Brownout, played at Austin City Hall Wednesday to promote the upcoming New Year’s 2018 show. Brownout will headline along with the Ian Moore Band. "It’s a big, big, honor, we are very blessed to live in such a musical town and we are happy that we got tapped on the shoulder for a wonderful beautiful event,” said Percussion & Vocalist Alex Marrero.
Brownout, which is based in Austin, is an off-shoot of the popular band Grupo Fantasma; which was the headliner two years ago. "You can’t top it, it’s a different band, but we are going to try to match it in our own way,” said Bass player Greg Gonzales.
The celebration is being held, once again at Vic Mathias- Auditorium Shores.
By Saturday, crews should have all four stages assembled.
As in years past, two of the stages will be dedicated to Austin groups.
The event is produce with families in mind according to Sylnovia Rabb with the Austin Economic Development department. "The main goal was to be inclusive, and so we have genre from rap to Bollywood, to again the Chinese dancers that were featured earlier, so we wanted the production to be a reflection of the Austin’s citizens,” said Rabb.
The alcohol-free party starts at 3:00 Sunday afternoon and wraps up at 10:00 pm. A
PD is going to provide security in and around the event. During the first part of the day, Riverside will be closed, and later that evening Cesar Chavez will be closed for the fireworks show.
The fireworks will be launched over Lady Bird Lake, enhancing the skyline of Austin.
"We have a fabulous theme fireworks planned for you, just like last year, always a big event a huge success so yes, starting at 10pm,” said Rabb.
Bad weather has caused problems for other holiday traditions this year.
Rain swamped Zilker Park - forcing the Trail of Lights to cancel several nights. And the holiday show at the Circuit of the Americas also had to cancel some nights. But Wednesday- organizers of the New Year’s kickoff promised the farewell to 2017 will take place rain or shine.
"So come on out- put your gloves on, put your coats on, but bring your dancing shoes,” said Rabb.
The New Year’s celebration is free.
There will also be a fleet of food trucks on site to help fill you up and keep you warm.