Happy New Year! These three words evoke champagne toasts and confetti, a kiss at midnight and of course Dick Clark counting down to the ball dropping at midnight. But if you can’t make it to New York perhaps you might want to head on down to Mobile, Alabama, and in lieu of a ball, but in good Southern tradition, the lowering of a twelve foot illuminated MoonPie! That’s right a MoonPie! And what could be more fun than to get the year kicked off with a party of over 25,000 of your soon to be closest friends and thousands of MoonPies!
I know the word MoonPie got your attention so here are the facts: the place to be is outside the RSA BankTrust Building at the corner of Royal and St. Francis Streets. Things you might want to bring: warm clothing (layers are good), comfortable shoes and your sweet tooth – remember thousands of free MoonPies – not to mention vendors selling hot dogs, hot chocolate, coffee and other goodies. It is also encouraged to bring your family and friends because the City of Mobile is known for their family-friendly celebrations and the New Year’s MoonPie Drop is looked upon as the beginning of the Carnival season (MARDI GRAS!!) Not only will you be amazed at the twelve foot MoonPie lighting up the Mobile skyline there will also be fireworks and a laser light show.
Don’t just come for the midnight celebration there are lots of activities and fun leading up to the MoonPie drop. There will be a Mardi Gras parade at 6:30pm (and let me tell you there is nothing more fun than reverting to your inner child to catch some beads and MoonPies!). The Mobile Carnival Museum will be open from 6pm to 11pm with free children’s activities including a MoonPie toss and Mardi Gras mask making. The Museum of Mobile will have free admission from 5pm-11pm and the kids can make New Year’s hats. The Exploreum will be open from 5pm-11pm with half off regular admission and their activities include Science of the MoonPie and Science of Fireworks.
And don’t just take my word for it – Travelated.com named Mobile, Alabama, one of the top ten places worth traveling to (IN THE WORLD) in order to celebrate the New Year. Yes, Mobile, Alabama, is described as “truly unique” and is a destination listed among Italy, Bahamas, Scotland and Ecuador!
