Mobile finalizing plans for MoonPie celebration with R&B artists En Vogue, and multiple family-f
By John Sharp | jsharp@al.com Press-Register series /series Aka Story Package gallery-preview /gallery-preview Aka Secondary Package
/storypackage /#article_inset Article
Mobile, AL
En Vogue, the chart-topping rhythm and blues group from the 1990s, is the headlining act for the eighth rendition of Mobile's New Year's Eve "MoonPie Over Mobile" celebration.
The announcement was made during a news conference outside the RSA Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel Thursday.
"This year's event is shaping up to be one of the best," said Carol Hunter of Events Mobile Inc., the non-profit organization charged with coordinating and planning the annual New Year's Eve celebration.
En Vogue's appearance adds to a list of chart-topping pop music or country musicians who headline the downtown event each year. The Village People performed last year, Gretchen Wilson in 2013.
The all-black female group's work was at its most popular in the early-to-mid 90s with hits such as "Hold On," "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)," "Give Him Something He Can Feel" and "Free Your Mind."
The 1996 single, "Don't Let Go (Love)" became their third hit to reach No. 2 in the U.S. The group has sold over 20 million albums worldwide, and has received seven Grammy Award nominations.
The annual MoonPie event draws about 60,000 people to downtown Mobile and has been credited with generating an economic boost to downtown businesses that, in the past, had a relatively uneventful New Year's Eve.
The celebration's initial investment of $9,000 came from Mobile City Councilman Fred Richardson, who helped oversee the 2008 event at Cooper Riverside Park. In 2010, a giant 12-foot-tall, 350-pound lighted MoonPie has been affixed to the side of the 34-story RSA Trustmark Building, where it descends each year to ring in the New Year.
"The event will be so exciting that you'll have to buckle some of them down," Richardson said. "I'm having people call me from Atlanta, Nashville and Memphis. Everyone in the world will know we are dropping the MoonPie on New Year's Eve."
Aside from the Retirement Systems of Alabama, other supporters and sponsors of the event include Chattanooga Bakery, the Tennessee-based company that manufactures MoonPie treats; Austal USA and the city of Mobile. The City Council approved $110,000 in its annual budget this year for Events Mobile, with that money largely going toward the annual New Year's Eve event.
Mobile County spends $25,000 out of its own budget.
In addition to En Vogue, the annual event will feature the following:
Two giant-screen TVs will be brought in to broadcast NCAA BCS playoff games, which are slated to begin on Dec. 31. En Vogue's performance, which will take place on St. Francis and Royal streets, will also be broadcast on each of the screens. A tailgate party will be set up in front of the main stage where the football game telecasts will take place.
A fireworks show will take place after the MoonPie drops at midnight on Jan. 1.
Attendees, for the second year, will be encouraged to decorate umbrellas to march in a second-line parade led by the Excelsior Jazz Band.
A giant MoonPie cake, sponsored by Chattanooga Bakery, will be cut as part of a ceremony before the festivities take place.
A full schedule of the night's events will be released in the coming weeks.
Aside from New Year's, the city is also moving ahead with its annual holiday season celebration, "A Very Merry Mobile."
Among the events:
Riverside Ice, the city's first outdoor rink, will continue operating until Jan. 12 at Cooper Riverside Park. Admission for skating is $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under.
The annual lighting of the Bienville Square Christmas tree and the Ceiling of Lights across Dauphin Street will occur at 6:10 p.m. on Nov. 20. The annual tree lighting event is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. that evening.
The second annual Menorah lighting in Bienville Square is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Bienville Square.
Elfapalooza, Mobile's second chance at breaking the Guinness Book of World Records for most elves in one place, will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 11 at Bienville Square. Attendees are encouraged to wear red, green, an elf hat and pointy ears. The official "Walk of Elves" takes place at 7:10 p.m.
"Winter Wonderland" will take place for the second year from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 19 at Cathedral Square. The event features a Christmas Market mirrored after a market in Hamburg, Germany, and will feature presents, locally grown produce and baked goods. Snow will also be piped into the Square. At Bienville Square that day, attendees are encouraged to bring a can of food to support the Bay Area Food Bank and to support local food trucks which will be parked nearby.