The paper packages are reduced to satisfying snow drifts of crumpled gift bags and printed snowflakes, the hams and hot cocoas have been devoured and the cousins and aunts are heading back home. Though Christmas is over, there is still more celebrating to be done. Glitzier threads replace tacky reindeer sweaters as the world gets ready for Auld Lang Syne.
Love it or leave it, there is no denying that 2016 was one heckuva year and deserves to go out with a big, festive bang. Before laying out those bowties and dazzling little black dresses, we’ve put together a list of some of the area’s coolest options for ringing in 2017 with friends and family.
Another terrific daytime event for the whole family will be making waves over at Jenks’ Oklahoma Aquarium from 10 a.m. to noon. New Year’s Splash! includes “Trashformation”, where guests transform trash into treasure and take away a prize if their creation makes the biggest splash.
For those of us with kids more into Instagram than Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, all night skate parties are a terrific family option. The Muskogee Skate Center New Year’s Eve All Night Skate at 2105 Gibson St. promises fun, games, and friends from 7 p.m. to the wee hours of morning, or the Route 66 Roller Dome NYE Skate Party in at 9661 New Sapulpa Road in Sapulpa offers 50¢ pizza slices, free inlines, skating, dances, and inflatable sumo wrestling for $15.
If you count yourself among those blessed folk who love nothing more than a good run--the thrill of the endorphins, the simple pleasure of lacing up your sweet kicks--Race Into the New Year 5K sponsored by Runner’s World at River West Festival Park gives you a chance to start the year off celebrating good health.The walking/running event is set up to allow most runners run from one year to the next with a one-mile fun run beginning at 11 p.m. This family-friendly event promises music, champagne and beer, black-eyed peas with cornbread, and midnight fireworks. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.com and range from $10 to $30, with proceeds benefiting River Parks.
In Tulsa, locals can check out the Wine Loft Bar’s Old Hollywood Glam Prohibition Style celebration. $45 for a single ticket or $80 per couple gets a signature cocktail we can almost guarantee won’t be bathtub gin, a glass of bubbly for the midnight toast, all night buffet, photo booth, party favors, midnight ball drop with sponsors, and cigars on the patio. Also available are VIP tickets including exclusive loft seating, a private wine and liquor tasting and swag bags.
While no dress code is needed to enter these joints, period attire is encouraged--think cloche hats, feather boas, mary janes, and drop waist hems of flapper chic, and Gatsby-era gangster suits or tweed derbies and suspenders for the fellas.
Support the arts at the Brady District New Year’s Eve Party at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, featuring music by The Fabulous Mid Life Crisis Band, Uninvited Guest, and DJ Sea. Ticket packages start at $249 and include a room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, ground transportation to and from the party, and a New Year’s Day breakfast buffet.
Wherever you decide to celebrate with that midnight kiss, plan ahead to take care of yourself and loved ones by making sure everyone has a safe way to get home. AAA offers a Tipsy Tow safe ride program for members and non-members. Plan ahead by programming 1-800-AAA-HELP into your phone. Happy New Year!
