Admittedly, I'm not the biggest name on the social circuit in Chattanooga, But I, however, am not known for staying at home every weekend, to include big party weekends such as New Year's Eve. This year, I spent the last minutes of 2013 in front of my television watching a ball drop in a far-off city.
This time last year, I was at a well-known local sports bar which is my typical weekend watering hole. It was a good time with friends and entertainment, but It was definitely not a remarkable occasion. This year at the same bar they have a band playing, mediocre in quality at best, which has played the venue so much they literally are the house band. And well, to me, that gets tiresome, quick.
What are the other options in Chattanooga? Parties at the local hotels and convention centers? Sure, that's a viable option, but, alas, most of these venues have the same or similar bands that were playing when I first turned 21 23 years ago. It really makes me wonder if the entertainment quality on New Year's Eve in Chattanooga is even worth the expense of cover charges, hotel rooms, and/or cab fare.
One of the best New Years Eve parties I've ever attended was in Nashville several years ago. It was free, quality entertainment provided by headlining acts which was performed in a safe, comfortable environment. The mood was definately fun, friendly, and the crowd was well pleased with the entertainment and the happy atmosphere which was provided throughout the event.
Not only does Nashville have an excellent New Year's Eve Party. Atlanta has the Peach drop. There is also an awesome party in New Orleans. If I conducted more research, I'm sure I would find some very fun parties in many cities throughout the South. So, the question is: Where's Chattanooga's party?
I read that the Chattanooga Whiskey Company had pondered sponsoring such an event, but decided against it. I really don't blame them, considering they are a private concern which would be burdened with a lot of overhead for a recently emerging business. I hear they held a splendid grand opening party for the area, and they should be commended for that. The public/private RiverCity Company sponsors the Nightfall Series, an excellent series of concerts which is a good value for your entertainment dollar. While RiverCity may be an option in hosting a New Year's Party, I think there is a non-profit organization who would be perfect in hosting a party, considering the population of this city has supported them for years....That's the Friends of the Festival.
What other organization knows more about throwing a party here than the Riverbend folks? They have the infrastructure, the people, and the funds to make an excellent party work. With the recent and increasing calls for changes to be made to the big event in June, why not change it by moving at least one day from June, to the most memorable Celebration night of the entire year? I certainly hope some of the powers-that-be with Riverbend see my plea, and agree that Chattanooga is in desperate need of a New Year's Party that the entire city deserves.
Eddie Sledge