3rd Annual Red Stick Revelry Counts Down to 2016
This Thursday, Dec. 31, bring your family downtown between 11 a.m.-1 a.m. to take part in the third annual Red Stick Revelry, a free, energy-packed New Year’s Eve celebration filled with food, music and fun for young and old.
Starting at 11 a.m., kids will enjoy taking part in hands-on craft activities and face painting with the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge at North Boulevard in Town Square. Afterward, all ages can join in singing “Auld Lang Syne” with Mayor Kip Holden as he raises a custom-designed, LED-lighted Red Stick 60 feet above the Square, to be lowered later when the countdown to 2016 begins.
“In its third year, Red Stick Revelry has become a destination for New Year’s Eve,” says Holden. “There is still time to make restaurant reservations and book your hotel rooms to stay downtown to enjoy the late night activities. With great music, food and fireworks, I hope everyone will join us as we ring in the New Year in Baton Rouge.”
As the night sky dims between 7-8:45 p.m., Sheriff Bud Torres and the Posse will perform on the Crest Stage in Galvez Plaza, Baton Rouge’s newest stage across the street from the Old State Capitol. From 9 p.m. to midnight, the funk-soul band Phat Hat will also perform before the Red Stick drops at the arrival of the New Year. And if you can’t be there in person, watch the live television broadcast on WAFB-TV at 11:35 p.m.
Local artist Ramon Reyes will also be capturing the excitement of the event in a different way by live-painting the Red Stick Revelry celebration from a platform adjacent to The Crest stage.
Anyone looking for a VIP experience can pay extra for Revelers’ Row tickets, which provide a front-row spot at Town Square’s Live Oak Plaza between 6:30 p.m.-12:15 p.m. for a perfect view of the stage and the Red Stick Drop. Ticket-holders will receive exclusive perks like catered food and beer, wine and champagne tastings at midnight, so be quick to reserve your spot now.
To learn more about the event and purchase VIP tickets or merchandise, visit redstickrevelry.com or its Facebook page.
