Archive
Related Photos
Related Links
2005 is so 'last year'
Downtown businesses get party started early this year
Who needs Times Square?
Downtown Kokomo will be kickin’ New Year’s Eve, boasting a celebration with its very own glowing orb dropping from the sky.
Kokomo Downtown Association’s celebration will also feature live music and a fireworks show atop the courthouse.
Overtaking the intersection of Sycamore and Main streets, the party gets under way at 10:30 p.m. Saturday with music from Shoot the Driver. Allan James of Z92.5 Radio will be at the helm as master of ceremonies.
John Wiles, KDA executive director, said the band is new to the scene this year. Normally sporting a playlist chock-full of R&B; hits, the band will opt for rock music for the celebration, he said.
“They promise to have everyone jumpin’ and rockin’ on New Year’s Eve,” Wiles said.
The Kokomo High School TechnoKats robotics team will light up the night sky when it turns on its colorful, 32,000-light ball at 11 p.m. If you’re looking for a front-row seat, the ball will be attached to the nearby First National Bank and Trust Building. The countdown to 2006 will start at 11:59 p.m.
At midnight, Miss Hoosier Heartland Caroline Walker, a graduate of Maconaquah High School and a sophomore at St. Mary’s College, South Bend, will lead the crowd in singing “Auld Lange Syne” during the fireworks show.
“Many people said last year’s fireworks show was one of the best they had seen, so we invited its director, Greg Owens of Kokomo, back for this year’s event." Wiles said.
In order to have a safe fireworks show, Wiles asks that spectators watch the show near the Showmobile stage — the best place to view the show anyway — and stay out of the marked fireworks’ drop zone, which includes the lawn and sidewalk surrounding the Courthouse.
“The fire department has said they won’t allow the show to go on if people are in the drop zone,” Wiles said.
And, frankly, who wants their retinas scorched with smoldering ashes?
The celebration is made possible by the donations of local businesses and organizations, Wiles said.
Get a head start
Sondy’s Sycamore Grill, Sycamore Market Place, Shoppes on the Square, Hong Kong China Buffet, Freedom Financial and Stogies will kick-start downtown’s party early in the evening.
Sondy’s is offering a dinner package Saturday. Patrons will be seated at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. A DJ will keep Sondy’s jumping throughout the evening.
Though not required, reservations are being accepted.
Shoppes on the Square will offer a special dinner at 6 p.m., with singer Christina Blauvelt as the featured entertainment.
Sycamore Market Place will open at 8:30 p.m. and feature the bands Blind Boy and Cni Dawgs.
Stogies will have live entertainment to complement their coffee and cigars, and Hong Kong China Buffet will serve its regular dinner menu until 10 p.m.
Freedom Financial will have hot and cold drinks and snacks until midnight.
Around town...
Party at the Kokonut
Ring in the New Year at Kokonut Bar and Grill and listen to southern rock, rock, alternative, classic rock and dance music.
Out of the Blue, Running with Scissors and Southside will be playing the Kokonut. Party favors and munchies will be provided, of course.
Doors open at 6 p.m., culminating with a free midnight champagne toast.
Single tickets are $15, couples may get in for $25. Tickets are available in advance from band members or are available at the bar, 1833 S. Plate St.
Dance the night away
The Singles Network will host a singles’ dance from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Booster Club of Kokomo.
Take a chance and meet Mr. or Ms. Right, or even just a promising new dance partner.
Event organizer Sarah Stevens said her dances draw a crowd of “mature” singles who are not necessarily into the bar scene.
If you’re single, it’s the place to mingle on New Year’s Eve.
“People can come there and know they won’t be flirting with married people,” Stevens said. “Of course, I don’t check them at the door.”
Not so concerned about true love? There will be a snack table, cash bar, 50/50 drawing, door prizes and party favors.
There is a cover charge of $10 per person. For more information, call Sarah Jones at (765) 457-7619.
Party for a cause
Bands will come to Kokomo to benefit the Kokomo Rescue Mission and Carver Community Center.
Tha Roots, House of Effect, Grey Lines of Perfection, Kamikaze, Sakred, Golgatha’s Tear’s, Victory in Venice will play from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 1940 S. Elizabeth St.
Cover charge is $5. For more information, call (765) 868-3151.
End the year with fitness
Kokomoans who want to get the New Year off to a running start are invited to participate in a New Year’s Eve 5K run/walk with Club Kokomo Roadrunners.
Race day registration will run from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., with the race beginning at 2 p.m. at UAW Local 292 Fellowship Hall, 1201 W. Alto Road, Kokomo.
Club Kokomo will offer practical awards to top performers, determined by number of participants. Top finishers in the run and walk events will receive knit gloves, and the overall top performers will receive a $15 gift certificate from the Running Co.
Registration is $10 per person, for pre-registered and race day. All registered participants will receive a race packet and be eligible for random prize drawings.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Coyote Kids Summer Running Program. For more information, call (765) 457-2607 or e-mail to runckrr@aol.com.
Out of town
Retro at Whiskey River
Whiskey River will hold one of Peru’s premier New Year’s Eve attractions with live entertainment by Retro-Overload.
The restaurant is offering four party and dinner options for couples and singles reservations.
The Whiskey River Limousine also is available to whisk away party-goers, in groups of six to 10, for their New Year’s debauchery, er, celebration.
The New Year’s Eve celebration will last from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. New Year’s dinners may be scheduled any time after 4 p.m. Live music will begin at 10 p.m.
Anyone not interested in dinner reservations will be charged a $10 individual cover charge, with couples admitted for $15. Cover charge includes party favors, champagne and band fee.
For more information, call (765) 472-5560.
Music, magic and mayhem
Fletcher’s of Atlanta will host an evening full of food and insanity New Year’s Eve.
The “show” combines great food with an entertaining performance of a “kook,” which elsewhere may be known as a cook.
The evening includes a six- to eight-course dinner, in which diners are surrounded by music, madness and mayhem and also will get to see a portion of dinner preparation table-side.
Dinner begins at 7:15 p.m. Cost of the meal is $70 per person, including tax and tip. Beverages are not included in dinner price. For more information, call (765) 292-2777 or (800) 369-7350 or visit the Web site at www.fletchersofatlanta.com.
Laughs in Indy
Crackers Comedy Club will host New Year’s Eve parties at both its Indianapolis locations.
Comedian Todd Paul is the featured performer at Crackers Downtown, 247 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis, and John Morgan will be at Crackers Broad Ripple, 6281 N. College Ave, Indianapolis.
Attendees will get lots of New Year’s loot, too. Everyone is entitled to his or her very own goodie bag, party favors and free champagne toast at midnight.
Everyone 18 years and older is welcome to attend. [ f]
Tribune staff writer Danielle Rush contributed to this story
Get your party on
Downtown celebration
• WHERE: At the intersection of Sycamore and Main streets
• WHEN: Party gets started at 10:30 p.m., with fireworks at midnight. Some downtown businesses will have dinner specials prior to the festivities.
• WHY BOTHER: The ball drop, of course. Plus, there’s food, fun and entertainment.
Cue the band
• WHERE: Kokonut Bar and Grill, 1833 S. Plate St.
• WHEN: 6 p.m.
• WHY BOTHER: Loads of live music, including Out of the Blue, Running with Scissors and Southside.
I just gotta dance
• WHERE: Singles’ dance at Booster Club, Kokomo
• WHEN: 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• WHY BOTHER: Unless you’re single, don’t
Drown in Whiskey River
• WHERE: Peru’s Whiskey River
• WHEN: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• WHY BOTHER: Live entertainment and dinner. Oh yeah, free party favors. Need we say more.
Fun with food
• WHERE: Fletcher’s of Atlanta
• WHEN: 7:15 p.m.
• WHY BOTHER: Music, magic and mayhem — enough said.
