Celebrations set for New Years Eve

Ringing in the new year in Mid-Missouri

Festival goers rang in 2014 at last year's New Year's Eve celebrations. This year there are parties in Columbia and Jefferson City.
Festival goers rang in 2014 at last year's New Year's Eve celebrations. This year there are parties in Columbia and Jefferson City.

The popular, standard song asks: "What are you doing, New Year's Eve?"

Mid-Missouri offers several options for area residents who want to be out instead of at home - including a new event, a "Roast and Toast" at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Jefferson City.

The annual "New Year's Celebration of Prayer" has a different Jefferson City location this year.

And, for those who want a short drive, Columbia once again is hosting its nearly two-decades-old "Eve Fest" (previously "First Night") in its downtown business district.

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The prayer event isn't a "party" in the traditional sense.

"The event is a time of praise, worship and prayer celebrating God's goodness for the previous year and preparation for the move of God for 2015," Pastor Doug Crader, the 33rd annual event's coordinator, wrote in a recent email. "It will last from 7 p.m. to approximately 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, followed by a time of fellowship and food until midnight.

"All who believe in the power of prayer are invited."

Traditionally, the event has been held in the Capitol Rotunda.

This year, however, "due to some logistical situations," the event will be held at RiverWood Church, at the Jefferson City Christian Center, 3614 Church Lane - which is the old Rip's Mor-E-O Lodge location, next to the Moreau River - off Schott Road, behind Walmart-East (East McCarty Street exit from U.S. 50/63), in Jefferson City.

For more information, contact Pastor Crader at [email protected], or call 573-690-4220.

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The new "Roast and Toast" event in Jefferson City is the brainchild of Gene Fairfax, a partner in the Homeland Roofing company (and son of Chez Monet owner Joan Fairfax), and Dave Kemna of Central Bank.

"We both grew up here so we know a lot of people," Fairfax said in an email. "That's how all this started - friends of ours have several businesses and they would ask us to promote certain events through our Facebook pages.

"It turns out people pay attention to what's going on and we would have tremendous turnouts."

After one such successful event, Fairfax said, "I called Dave and said we should take our contacts and use it to our advantage to do good. We talked about putting on a comedy show or maybe a concert and we decided on a New Year's Eve party because this town never has anything to offer.

"We are both bachelors and we like to have fun - so we thought this would be great fun."

But their party has a serious side, too: If they make enough money, they will use it for a charity that has not yet been determined.

"Hopefully there's money left over and we can do something good with it or use it to raise even more money," he said. "We both have friends that are suffering through cancer and/or their child is suffering with cancer - so, worst-case scenario, the money will be sent to those families."

People can attend the "Roast and Toast" bash for $50 a person, or they can rent a room at the Baymont Inn and Suites for $150, which includes two tickets. A few rooms still are available. For more information, call Kemna on his cell phone, 573-690-2319.

Fairfax said a ticket buys free beer, with champagne at midnight and dinner. "We're having a hog roast dinner (hence the name, "Roast and Toast'); Chez Monet (my mother is doing desserts and salads); photo booths; a DJ and LED (normally fire) spinners: several door prizes and a few contests."

One of the prizes (purchased "at an awesome price with the help of a friend," Fairfax said) is a 48" LED smart TV.

There also are four $10 gift certificates from J. Pfenny's; four $25 gift certificates to Spectators; five "coupon cards that benefit a local cancer sufferer;" a $50 gift certificate to Fuji; and two $50 gift certificates and a style and cut from Ulta Beauty.

And a recliner from FFO Home that will be given away to one of 10 people whose names are drawn "out of the pot (to) play musical chairs," Fairfax said. "Whoever ends up setting in it at the end wins the recliner."

Some of the items will be door prizes, while others will be for the winners of contests that include the best dressed man and woman; 2015 king and queen; and "Best dance moves of the night," Fairfax said.

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In Columbia, "Eve Fest" - is a "family friendly, alcohol-free celebration of the New Year with music, art, ritual, and festivity," according to information on the web page, columbiaevefest.com.

Buttons for admission to the event are $8 at the door, or $6 in advance, purchased from Columbia's Gerbes stores, the ARC center and the downtown Columbia Parks and Recreation office.

As last year, the event is being held on 9th Street, between Elm and Locust streets, in Columbia - just north of the University of Missouri campus.

The gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the entertainment begins at 7 p.m.

This year's theme is "Light the Magic," and the entertainment includes:

• Babaloo! - "A one-man musical, comedy act for kids!" (More information at www.babaloomusicandfun.com).

• Miss Jubilee & The Humdingers! - Hot Jazz, Swing, Rhythm & Blues and Rock-and-Roll spanning the 1920s-1950s. (More information at www.miss-jubilee.com).

• Keith Jozsef - Master Illusionist ..."consider nothing impossible." (More information at www.keithjozsef.com).

• Re-enactment of an historic duel between "Blind Tom" (portrayed by Tom Andes) and "Blind Boone" (Sutu Forte). Bill Clark is the narrator. At the historic Missouri Theatre.

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