By Brian M. Boyce
TERRE HAUTE — Planning is under way to rock out of the 21st century’s first decade and into what organizers hope will be a new Terre Haute tradition.
Veronica Dougherty, president of Junior Achievement of the Wabash Valley Inc., said Monday she’s excited at how the group’s 2009 New Year’s Eve Odyssey Celebration is coming together.
“I think it’s really great that the kids are involved,” she said of Vigo County School Corp. technology students who, under the direction of Doug Dillion, are creating a giant lighted ball to be raised atop the Ohio Building at 670 Ohio St.
The group hopes to simulate the famous New York Times Square ball drop as the New Year chimes in at midnight. “We’re going to close the street for the party,” she added, noting a wide array of plans for the evening.
Live music is planned for both levels of the Ohio Building, with Governor Davis and the Blues Ambassadors on the first floor and the Stone Wheel Orchestra in the loft. Easy Street Jazz also is slated to perform.
A breakfast buffet donated by Gordon Food Service will be served after the ball is raised. Pending permission from the city, a fireworks display will begin at midnight, launched from the roof of the neighboring parking garage.
The event is planned to run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Advance tickets are $35, $45 at the door. A cash bar and light appetizers will be available leading up to the buffet.
Andrew Conner, director of Downtown Terre Haute Inc., said he expects quite a sight.
“One of the exciting things about it is the ball they’re fashioning,” he said. The downtown hasn’t had a collective New Year’s Eve event in years past, and Conner said he hopes this fills that void.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
