Celebrate Famously Hot New Year in Columbia, S.C. with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Sister

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Dec. 14, 2016 - PRLog -- Organizers of S.C.'s free party of the year, Famously Hot New Year, are ready to welcome tens of thousands of guests to downtown Columbia, S.C., on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, when New Orleans musical royalty, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, along with jangle-pop stars Sister Hazel, will hit the stage for a free, full-length outdoor concert and the Carolinas' largest NYE fireworks display. Eat, drink, stay and play in the New Southern Hot Spot during New Year's Eve weekend, and explore the historic city's shopping, dining and entertainment before topping off your Southern getaway (or staycation) with a brass-band bang at Famously Hot New Year.

Famously Hot New Year – South Carolina's largest New Year's Eve celebration, in its sixth season – is set in the center of historic Columbia, S.C.'s downtown district, in the midst of the thriving capital city's dining, shopping and hotel districts. #FHNY is easily accessible to locals and travelers alike via late night COMET public shuttle service and four park-and-ride locations across the Midlands, limited free parking in eight City of Columbia garages, and $10 Budweiser Alert Cab discounts. Attendees – tens of thousands from across the state, country and world – enjoy a fun, festival atmosphere; beer, wine, bubbly, local food vendors and the most colossal NYE fireworks show in the two Carolinas. For ideal acoustics and comfort, the concert stage is located at Gervais St. and Sumter St. – steps away from the midnight fireworks above the picturesque S.C. State House.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, the funk/rock/jazz/hip-hop/multi-piece brass band known internationally as New Orleans musical royalty, will headline Famously Hot New Year's free, full-length outdoor concert, directly supported by popular folk rock/jangle pop/classic Southern rock band Sister Hazel, known for 90s anthem "All for You." Local rockabilly band Capital City Playboys, and R&B/soul group Mike Stone and the Kritikal Band will open the free concert.

Trombone Shorty's accolades include a Grammy nomination, performance at the White House, world tour with Lenny Kravitz and Hall & Oates, an NPR "Tiny Desk Concert" and the coveted closing headliner position at Jazz Fest in New Orleans – the same spot once held by jazz legends, The Neville Brothers.

Guests can plan their #FHNY weekend at www.famouslyhotnewyear.com.


Where to Dine, Drink & Stay for #FHNY Weekend

Famously Hot New Year encourages the public to support local businesses, restaurants and hotels that are offering special deals and VIP experiences/pre-parties for New Year's Eve. A few examples where guests can maximize their Famously Hot New Year weekend:

·       SpringHill Suites NYE Package (champagne, shuttle to FHNY)

·       New Year's Eve party at The Oak Table (FHNY viewing patio)

·       Riverbanks Zoo's Lights Before Christmas on Friday night

·       New Year's Eve dinner menu at Motor Supply on Saturday night (walk to FHNY)

Guests can explore more options online at http://www.columbiacvb.com/events/signature-events/new-years-eve/.

What to Enjoy During the Street Party

Attendees will enjoy a number of snack options at FHNY, including local food trucks like Real Mexico; several beer, wine & champagne bars; an NYE accessory vendor to snag hats, noisemakers and more; and a seated "Comfort Zone" space to enjoy food, drink and conversation at the corner of Main and Gervais Streets. Street entertainers will be on-site to provide additional delight for guests.


FHNY Celebration Schedule

6:30 p.m. | Concert gates open

7:00 p.m.—7:30 p.m. | Mike Stone & the Kritikal band performs

7:50 p.m.—8:45 p.m. | Capital City Playboys performs

9:15 p.m.—10:15 p.m. | Sister Hazel performs

10:45 p.m.—11:55 p.m. | Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue performs

11:55 p.m.—12:10 a.m. | Midnight festivities & fireworks

12:15—12:30 a.m. | Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue finale and dancing

12:30 a.m. | Beer, wine and champagne sales end

1:00 a.m. | Celebration ends

Live Broadcast, Celebrity Emcees and Co-Chairs

The event will be live broadcast on TV by WLTX News 19 and via radio by Alpha Media station The Big DM 101.3/WWDM. WLTX anchor Darci Strickland, three-time Emmy-award winning journalist and University of South Carolina alum, will co-emcee FHNY, along with Hot 103.9/WHXT DJ Neek, Q 93.5/WARQ DJ Crogan, and Big DM/WWDM's Chris Connors, multi-award winning radio host. Famously Hot New Year's co-chairs and official spokespeople are Laura Basile, Neonatologist at Palmetto Health Richland, and Mario Melendez, Financial Representative / Field Director at Northwestern Mutual.