New Year’s event to feature ball drop, fireworks
SEARCY — Confetti, food, art, entertainment and fun for the entire family — the Searcy community is preparing to ring in the new year.
The New Year’s Eve Bash by Searcy Beats & Eats will feature live music, food vendors, art, a ball drop, fireworks, youth activities and more.
Mat Faulkner, event coordinator, said general admission will be free to the public.
The event will take place from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1 at the Main Street landing, 121 N. Spring St. in Searcy, he said.
“We have a customdesigned and fabricated ball being built, sponsored by Clairday Electric, that will extend 40 feet in the air and will drop at the stroke of midnight. Along with the ball drop, we have a pyrotechnic firework extravaganza with confetti, and a snow machine to create an exciting climax to New Year’s Eve,” Faulkner said.
“We have a concert-quality main stage outdoors on the Main Street landing, where we will feature four bands: the Chris Baker Blues Band from 6:30-8 p.m., Sawyer’s Mill from 8:20-9:20 p.m., The Fable and the Fury from 9:40-10:40 p.m. and Cheyenne Medders from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. We also have a DJ to keep the party rocking in between bands,” he said.
Baked goods, snacks and hot beverages by Savor + Sip will be available inside the Robbins Sanford Grand Hall, he said, along with more live music and an interactive art exhibition.
Faulkner said a ticketed VIP Ritz Event will also be held inside Think Idea Studio, featuring live music, an art auction presented by the Searcy Arts Council and heavy hors d’oeuvres by Savory Catering.
Tickets to the VIP Ritz Event cost $75 and must be purchased in advance.
“VIPs will receive access to the event and premium seating at the concert outside,” he said. “Funds raised through the VIP event will go toward paying for the costs of the New Year’s Eve Bash and future events and will benefit the Searcy Arts Council.”
Faulkner said youth activities, games and entertainment will also be provided by Young Life throughout the New Year’s Eve Bash.
“Creating a New Year’s Eve event for Searcy has always been a dream of mine since we were looking at relocating our agency, Think Idea Studio, downtown,” Faulkner said. “Once the Beats & Eats committee formed and began organizing events geared toward music and the arts, it seemed like the perfect fit for a New Year’s Eve bash to be an extension of the regularly scheduled events.
“I am thankful that the Beats & Eats committee and the city of Searcy departments have been able to collaborate to create a new tradition for the community.”
Marka Bennett, event coordinator, said the evening will have something fun for everyone.
“We are having a New Yorkstyle New Year’s right here in our town,” she said.
Bennett said food vendors will serve up Mexican food, barbecue, gourmet grilledcheese sandwiches, gumbo and more.
“[Beats & Eats] is monthly, and we feature talent from
Searcy and surrounding areas — local artists, artisans and entrepreneurs can display and sell their products and goods,” she said. “It’s a fun thing to do monthly on a Friday night downtown.”
Bennett said she is involved with Beats & Eats because she has the desire to be a part of something that’s good for Searcy.
“I wanted to work with good people who have a positive attitude and want to provide wholesome, familyfriendly activities in a fun way,” she said.
Committee members believe the New Year’s Eve Bash will bring people of all backgrounds in the community together, Bennett said.
“I am looking forward to all of the elements coming together to create a really fun atmosphere that Searcy can claim as an annual event and attract attendees from all over the state,” Faulkner said. “The Beats & Eats events have gained momentum and popularity since beginning in May 2017.
“We are hopeful that these events will continue to draw the community together as we celebrate all the positive benefits of living here.”
To purchase VIP Event tickets, visits ear cy new years eve. eventbrite.com.