Carytown New Year’s Eve 2009

Photo

All you need to know, including bands, new entrance fee, parking and much more. Get the deets on New Year’s Eve in Carytown. SLIDESHOW: Check out scenes from last year’s Carytown NYE 2008

Related Links

Text size: small | medium | large

By Colleen Curran

Published: December 30, 2008

SLIDESHOW: Check out scenes from last year’s Carytown NYE 2008

To borrow a tagline from Ellwood Thompson’s, New Year’s Eve in Carytown is dangerously close to becoming a Richmond tradition…or at least, we hope so!

It’s the third year for the Carytown New Year’s Eve event. Last year, 15,000 people crammed the streets of Carytown for music, revelry and the ball rise at the Byrd Theatre. Organizers expect 20,000 to 30,000 people from Richmond and beyond to turn out this year.

Here’s what you need to know about Carytown New Year’s Eve 2009:

What’s new:

Fee: $2 donation to get in. That’s right. It costs money to put on these kind of events, folks. The $2 fee goes to cover police protection plus the costs involved in throwing the blow-out street party (we’re talking a $125,000-$135,000 price tag). Kids, age 12 and under, are free.

Stage is moved: To Auburn and Cary Streets, near Babe’s, Bin 22 and 7-Eleven. The reason? It won’t block the ball rise at the Byrd. Plus, the goal is to get people to spread out and enjoy the party.

Giant TVs: Hanging out at the stage, listening to music, but still want to see the ball rise at the Byrd? Check out the giant TVs situated throughout Carytown plus a giant LED wall at Auburn and Cary Streets near the stage.

Beer gardens: Beer gardens will be available at Beaumont and Cary and S. Colonial and Cary Streets. Beer may be purchased for $5. There will not be any outside alcohol allowed.

VIP tents: For $50, gain entrance to four heated VIP tents in Cary Court. You’ll find food, seating, reduced prices on drinks and a wristband where you can enter and leave the area, securing yourself an “oasis from the crowd.” Plus a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets available at Ellwood Thompson’s and http://www.carytown.org.

What you can rely on:

The big Byrd ball: The big shiny ball will rise again at the Byrd Theatre, starting at 11:45 p.m. This handmade gem created by Todd Schall-Vass from the Byrd Theatre is seven feet long across and rises on a 40-foot pole on top of the Byrd Theatre. Expect fireworks, cheers and some sloppy kisses.

Music: Lots of rocking good music starting at 7 p.m. from Back in da Day, Prabir and The Substitutes, and The Secret Cool.

Time: Event gets started at 7 p.m., Dec. 31, and runs until 12:30 a.m.

What to watch out for:

Parking: If you’ve been there before, you know parking can be a mess. Organizers recommend parking at the University of Richmond stadium at Maplewood and Freeman Road. It’s a short three block walk to Carytown. The walk will be specially lit for New Year’s Eve and there will be a police presence for safety. Map It: Put in Maplewood and Freeman Ave. in the Address field.)

Entrance & fee: Because the entrance fee is new this year, there will be five main entrances into the event at Auburn Street, McCoy Street Belmont St, and Sheppard Street. Make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to pay and get in. Organizers expect 15,00-20,000 turn-out. And that can take time.

Details aside, it’s time to party like it’s 2009, party people. And Carytown New Year’s Eve 2009 is the place to be. Have a blast!

More info: Call (804) 422-2270 or visit Carytown’s website

More New Year’s Eve events around town

Reader Reactions

Posted by ( Lloyd Schieldge ) on December 31, 2008 at 10:15 am

With an expected 20 - 30,000 people, the U of R parking deck will probably not be large enough, what other parking decks are availabl? Also actual addresses would help to enter in GPS

Report Inappropriate Comment