The Case for a Tri-State New Year’s Eve Celebration

Each year we see New Year’s Eve parties on TV, with countdowns to the new year on the coasts and occasionally in the Midwest. Chicago and Nashville have grabbed that spotlight on the national stage previously. Could the Tri-State area host a New Year’s Eve party—with hosts, performers, vendors and a broadcast countdown event (at least online)? Follow-up, if this happened, where should it be?

A central location to host a year ending celebration

There are some obvious choices on both sides of the river, and maybe that’s the answer, but it would take coordination on many levels. To begin with, you would need to anchor it in a single location.

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Washington Park in downtown Quincy is already home to large events. Certainly a big enough space. The park already has the amenities in place to host, with the fixed bandstand.  POSITIVE – It’s a place that is already decorated for the Holidays with festive lights.  NEGATIVE – It’s a place that is already decorated for the Holidays with festive lights. The displays take up space and could be a hinderance to movement.

6^th Street Promenade in downtown Quincy is already home to downtown events including events with music performances. Mobile stage can be erected and used as focus. Location has been developed for things like this. Smaller than Washington park.

Oakley-Lindsey Center – downtown Quincy. The indoor event space downtown in Quincy that could handle a big NYE party. Already has all facilities to host. A nice option when winter weather is a concern.

Clat Adams Park – riverfront downtown Quincy. Already used for large events in Quincy like “Freedom Festival” on July 4^th. Bandstand already in place as focal point, but mobile stage could be utilized as well.

Hannibal also has locations that could fit the bill: Main Street downtown, Nipper Park along the riverfront, and Central Park downtown all have the space and amenities to host. LaGrange has also found success in hosting events on July 4^th. Could that be expanded to New Year’s Eve? The options are here. There may be a few I haven’t considered. Would you turn out for a New Year’s Eve party downtown in Quincy or Hannibal for the Tri-State official countdown to the new year?