No shortage of New Year’s Eve options

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This article was published 28/12/2024 (264 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For those who are looking for New Year’s Eve happenings on Tuesday night, there are many events in and around Brandon, ranging from a family-friendly party at Asessippi Ski Resort with fireworks to dancing the night away with local rock band Full Flannel Jacket.

Mike Leach, one of the vocalists and lead guitarists with the five-member full-flannelled band, said they’ve already been rehearsing their New Year’s Eve set list for their gig at the Sand Hills Casino, 14 kilometres south of Carberry.

“We want to make sure people have a good time and celebrate,” Leach said, adding, “we’re pretty casual, we’re always wearing flannel. So, I’ll have to see if I’ve got a flannel tux or a buffalo plaid dinner jacket somewhere in the back of my closet,” he said as he laughed.

Leach said they’re preparing for three sets with 13 songs in each, with “100 per cent Canadian content.”

“We play mostly classic rock, everything from Paul Anka to Alanis Morissette. We also do a couple of songs by The Weekend, Tragically Hip, Northern Pikes, and then we also play a few nuggets, like Martha and the Muffins,” he said.

Leach confirmed that at midnight, they’ll be singing “Auld Lang Syne,” the traditional Scottish song people belt out to bid farewell to the old year and bring in the new.

By the time midnight rolls around at the Asessippi Ski Resort, about 200 kilometres northwest of Brandon, the hill will be packed with skiers for their annual New Year’s Eve party, said Shannon Johnston, the resort’s assistant general manager.

“We’ve had the party and fireworks show for at least the last 15 years,” said Johnston. “It’s usually a rocking day.”

The Dec. 31 party has become so popular, she added, that they have two fireworks shows.

“We are such a family resort, and they can put in a pretty long day here. So, if you come skiing or snowboarding, and you arrive at 9:30 in the morning, and last until midnight, that’s a long time.

“So, we do a family — or an early fireworks show — at about 9:15 p.m., and then the final one at midnight,” Johnston said.

It’s common for many people who live near the ski hill to just come for the fireworks, she added.

The resort is also offering a special prime rib dinner with all the fixings, including dessert for $39.95, and staff members will set up kids’ movies in the Sugar Shack, the main seating area on the hill.

But something that Johnston said is a sight to behold is called the midnight run.

“We can have 30 to 60 people do the midnight run. We give glow sticks to our staff and any guests that want to take part, and then we load the chair lift at quarter to 12, so it’s all unloaded before midnight.

“Then we turn off all the lights, do a countdown and at 12 o’clock the fireworks go off and everyone goes down. It’s a pretty incredible way to ring in the new year,” Johnson said.

New Year’s Eve entertainment in downtown Brandon includes a bash at The Guinness Tavern by The Double Decker at 943 Rosser Ave., according to a poster on the business’s Facebook page.

Three DJs will feature Afrobeats, Hip Hop and Soca music, which is described as music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago and is considered an offshoot of calypso.

Elton John fans who want to sing along or dance to all his hits from the 1970s up to his current duet with singer Dua Lipa, can get tickets to the show at The Dock on Princess, featuring Brandon’s Mark Ross.

There will be a little bit of everything, said Ross, who added he made the show as close to the singer’s farewell tour as possible, including “Your Song,” where it all started for Elton. And then, “Daniel,” “Crocodile Rock,” “Bennie and The Jets” and “Rocket Man.”

“The New Year’s Eve show is a solo one, but will have all glam, videos, lights, and costume changes. Just me with me, a piano, some backing tracks and background singer Mariah Phillips. It’s more of a small pub concert, but if people feel like dancing, I always encourage it,” Ross said.

Brandon Transit is offering free bus service this New Year’s Eve, according to the City of Brandon website.

The complimentary and safe bus service will be available from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 3 a.m. on Jan. 1 on all transit routes and Brandon Access transit services.

Brandon Police Service Staff Sgt. Mike Tosh said he applauded the city’s free public transit as a way to safely ring in the new year.

“Don’t drink and drive,” Tosh said. “This is a serious matter; the paramount issue is public safety. To drive under the influence of anything is not worth the risk.”

Any driver can be pulled over and asked to provide a breath sample, Tosh added. If someone refuses, they can be charged, and their driver’s licence can be suspended.

“The main reason for doing the roadside screening is to ensure every driver on the road is sober and safe,” said Tosh.

The 40 nightclub in Brandon has scheduled the three-man cover band Clubbing Fraggles for its New Year’s Eve party, with tickets available at the door.

The Minnedosa Inn on Main Street will feature karaoke on New Year’s Eve, starting at 9:30 p.m.

In Souris, there are two public events planned to ring in the new year. One is a family-friendly movie, and the other is for country and rock music fans.

The band Crossfyre headlines the party at the Whistling Donkey, starting at 9:30 p.m.

And at Souris’s Avalon Theatre, “Moana 2” is playing at 2 p.m., as well as 7:30 p.m. People are encouraged to dress up in a Hawaiian theme for both screenings.

The Gladstone Golf and Country Club, about 110 kilometres northeast of Brandon, is planning a New Year’s Eve Gala at a venue with a capacity of 400 people. Tickets are still available with the option of having the meal picked up or delivered.

For those who prefer to stay in on New Year’s Eve, the Brandon Wheat Kings face off against the Swift Current Broncos on Jan. 1.

The puck drops at 2 p.m. at Westoba Place.

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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