The Southern Belle offers patrons a chance to open the new year on the boat.IF YOU GO
* What: New Year's Eve on the River* When: 8 p.m. Dec. 31.* Where: Southern Belle, 201 Riverfront Parkway, Pier 2* Admission: $85 per adult* Contact: 800-766-2784
How about welcoming in the New Year while rollin' down the river?
Since 1985, the Southern Belle riverboat has hosted one of the area's most popular year-end parties -- New Year's Eve on the River.
"The late cruise (from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.) features light hors d'oeurves dockside prior to boarding," says riverboat General Manager Joy Reinert. "We'll board at 8:30 for dinner with a deejay on board for dancing until 1 a.m."
On another deck, Riverboat Tony will be playing music from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, Reinert says.
Dress for the evening dinner cruise is casual, she says, noting that some women do choose cocktail attire.
Everyone on board will receive party favors and a glass of champagne to toast in the New Year, she says.
"We'll dock at 11:45 p.m. and passengers can disembark to watch the ball drop from our dockside TVs or remain onboard."
A New Year's Eve Kid's Cruise, featuring a pizza buffet, party favors and apple juice, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve, Reinert says. The cost is $19 for ages 11 and up, and $12 for ages 3 to 10.
Contact Staff Writer Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/karennazorhill. Subscribe to her posts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/karennazorhill.