It’s still days before Christmas but Demetrice Faire is already unpacking inventory for New Year’s Eve decorations and counting champagne toasting flutes.
Faire is the food and beverage manager for Majestic Star Casino in Gary and tasked with planning details for the busiest celebratory night of the year for a public party at the gaming venue’s new nightclub Lakeshore Lounge After Dark.
“The nightclub just opened Nov. 4 and now we are ready to welcome 2018 after this space had sat empty for three years,” Faire said.
She said in addition to the DJ music and dancing from 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m., the party features “open mic” from 9-10:30 p.m. to showcase area vocal talents eager to entertain.
“We have VIP areas available and there will also be plenty of excitement throughout the casino with balloon drops, a live band in the pavilion and party favors available for everyone,” she said.
“But the best views of Lake Michigan are from the wall of windows in the new nightclub. The $20 admission into the nightclub includes a champagne toast at midnight. We’ve already started unpacking the 6,000 champagne flutes we need for casino guests on this special night.”
Lori Daly, Porter County Expo Center Director, says she considers herself a New Year’s Eve party planning veteran ready for her third Dec. 31 glittery gathering hosting hundreds of revelers at the largest event space in Valparaiso.
“When I started here my first year in 2014, it was in November and so all of the New Year’s Eve party was already planned, so it was my year to sit back, study it and learn,” Daly said.
“The second year, I made quite a few changes and tried some new things. Now that this is my third time coordinating this celebration, I know what works and what fine-tuning to do to make it an experience that keeps people coming back.”
A horn, hat and confetti tradition for more than 25 years, the Porter County Expo New Year’s Eve party includes reserved seating, a catered dinner, party favors, champagne and balloon drop.
“We are especially excited to have our live band Shout Out return for another year because they are a big hit with guests,” she said.
“One year, we tried a DJ and it seemed to be well into the night, before we finally had everyone up and dancing. But with this band, people are on their feet right away ready to celebrate the arrival of another new year.”
Here’s a selection of some of the New Year’s Eve event highlights from around Northwest Indiana:
Gary
New Year’s on the Lake Nightclub Party
Lakeshore Lounge After Dark at Majestic Star Casino, 1 Buffington Harbor Drive. Tickets are $20. 888-225-8259; www.majesticstarcasino.com.
Starting a 9 p.m., admission includes Lake Michigan night views, DJ music, VIP seating option, “open mic,” party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.
Griffith
New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance Celebration
Hildebrand Hall at St. Mary’s Church, 525 Broad St. Tickets are $55. 219-688-2189; facebook.com/events/249865065542197/.
From 6:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., admission tickets include dinner, open bar, party favors, the music of live band Heavy and a champagne toast at midnight.
Highland
Plaza Lanes NYE Bowling Bash
8101 Kennedy Ave., Highland. Admission is $165-$325 per party. 219-923-3800; www.plazafunbowl.com.
Hours are 5-8 p.m. or 9:30-12:30 a.m. Early family hours window cost $165 per lane for up to six people and later adult window is $325 for a pair of lanes for up to five people. Includes three hours of unlimited “Cosmic Bowling” with complimentary shoe rental, two pitchers of domestic draft beer (with adults package), “bottomless” pitchers of soft drinks, snack tray, a large pizza of choice, sweets basket with party favors, toast and countdown with chances to win prizes. Family friendly but must be 21 to purchase alcohol.
Lake Station
BellaBoo’s New Year’s Eve Bellebation
BellaBoo’s Play and Discovery Center at Three Rivers County Park, 2800 Colorado St. Tickets are $4.95-$9.95. 219-963-2070; www.mybellaboos.com.
Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost for Adult admission and children 10 and older is $4.95, children ages 2 to 9 are $9.95, toddlers ages 1 to 23 months priced at $6.95, children younger than 1 year free. Festivities include a “Bubbly” Toast, an indoor parade and confetti leading up to a countdown to a Big Balloon Drop with noise making.
Michigan City
Blue Chip Casino Live Music Celebration
777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City. Tickets are $20. 219-879-7711; www.bluechipcasino.com.
The party at It’s Vegas Baby! lounge features a headline performance by P.S. Dump Your Boyfriend with party favors and midnight count-down with champagne toast.
Munster
The Four C Notes Frankie Valli Tribute Concert and New Year’s Eve Buffet
Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road. Tickets are $45 for concert, $30 for dinner buffet. 219-836-3255; www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.
Both 6 and 10 p.m. concert performances with dinner package options available for both in the dining room with seatings at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. A tribute to the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons with the 10 p.m. concert including a count-down at midnight. Cash bar available.
Schererville
Ultimate New Year’s Eve Celebration
Villa Cesare, 900 Eagle Ridge Drive. Tickets are $85. 219-789-2691; www.villacesare.com.
Doors open as 6:45 p.m. and performances at 9 p.m. following dinner. Tickets include open bar, live band performance by Together and DJ Joweto’s “Golden Oldies” music, dinner, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.
Valparaiso
Porter County New Year’s Expo Eve
Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road. Tickets are $75,. 219-464-0133; www.portercountyexpo.com/nye.
From 6:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., the all-inclusive admission includes a performance from Shout Out playing music from Motown, disco and songs from the ’80s and ’90s to early 2000s. Evening includes an open bar, prime rib dinner (with chicken and vegetarian options), coffee and dessert bar, late night nacho bar, party favors, plus a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. From casual to formal attire and must be age 21 and over.
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Here’s a selection of some of the New Year’s Eve event highlights from around Northwest Indiana.
