Gala Dinner Dance 7:30pm Ballroom New Year’s Eve Festival 8:30pm Conference Center

“We offer a very unique event in that it stays true

to that tradition ” -Bob Martorana, General Manager

“We really have the flexibility to cater to what our visitors want for their holiday,” Martorana said, adding that the hotel has seen its share of unique party guests. “One year we had a couple who had just got married and instead of holding a reception, they bought our New Year’s Eve package,” he said. “They brought their photographer and just joined the party. And everyone loved celebrating with them.” The attire may be cocktail and black tie and the decor elegant and classic, but the atmosphere is relaxed and inviting. “I think one of the things that has kept this tradition going for so long is that people are coming just to have a good time,” Martorana said. The hotel offers packages for each event for guests who want to celebrate for more than one night. “Rather than go out to a wild party that night, they can come here and really enjoy themselves. And of course, they can just ride the elevator home,” Martorana said. Event package prices start at $329. Guests are given gifts as tokens to remember the evening ranging from ornaments and crystal paperweights to prints of the hotel and downtown. “It really adds a personal touch to the event,” Hardin said. Preparing for the event means all hands on deck as

each department contributes by decorating floor to ceiling and wall to wall. “We start planning far in advance, planning the decor and color schemes,” Hardin said. “On the day of New Year’s Eve, throughout the hotel we blow up over 500 balloons and all departments pitch in. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s fun and there is a lot of camaraderie.” Following the parties, guests from both events are invited to the “black-eyed pea reception” in the Magnolia Room at midnight, bringing luck to all guests as they enter the new year. “You can’t celebrate the new year without black eyed peas and cornbread,” Hardin said. “It’s an old tradition to ensure luck in the coming year, which we, of course, want our guests to have.” The Arlington draws in people ranging in age from 21 to early 80s for its New Year’s Eve festivities, something that would leave many people disappointed if the tradition ever stopped. “The holiday season is a very special time at The Arlington – something our guests and staff really enjoy,” Martorana said. “People love to come to work each day this time of year, and we’re ready for our guests to join us and celebrate.” For more information on packages and reservations, call (501) 609-2533 or 1(800) 643-1502, or visit www.arlingtonhotel.com.

Toni Aulgur, Benny Baker, Bob Martorana and Gaye Hardin invite guests to join the festivities at the Arlington Hotel Resort and Spa New Year’s Eve parties.