By Brooke Geery
If ever there was a year we were ready to have in the rearview it’s 2020. Thank goodness 2021 is almost here. While like most other things this year, celebrations will look different than ever before, that doesn’t mean you can’t eat, drink and be merry from a safe social distance. Sure, Covid regulations have bars closing at 10 p.m. so your desire to cram into a small space and drink copious amounts of alcohol until AT LEAST midnight won’t be possible, but area organizations, bars and restaurants are doing their best to provide some entertainment this New Year’s Eve.
In-person events
Live music
The shows may not go until midnight, but several venues in Killington are offering live music to start off your celebration!
At Jax Food and Games, Ryan Fuller will play on the covered patio at 2 p.m. and Tony Lee Thomas and Jenny Porter will put on a show beginning at 6 p.m. At The Foundry, Ryan Fuller will play from 6-10 p.m. and Pickle Barrel will have happy hour with Tony Lee Thomas from 3-6 p.m. and Jamie from 6-10 p.m. Fiddle Witch will take the stage at Summit Lodge at 5 p.m. and at Moguls, Duane Carleton will play at 6 p.m. Nite Spot pizza will host Super Stash Brothers beginning at 6 p.m.
In Ludlow, Du Jour VT will present George Nostrand at 6 p.m. and Sammy B will join up with Jim Yeager and Kind Arthur Junior for a night of music at Neal’s Restaurant in Proctorsville beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks in Middlebury
Thanks to the incredible generosity of its members, American Legion Post 27 on Boardman St. in Middlebury will be sending 2020 out with a bang! They are sponsoring a New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Spectators are asked that you stay in their cars for the show or remain near their cars with immediate household members only. Mask use is required for anyone outside their cars.
Sugarbush torchlight parade and fireworks
Celebrate NYE with Sugarbush’s annual torchlight parade followed by the spectacular Northstar Fireworks show held on Spring Fling. The action begins at 7 p.m. and can be viewed from Lincoln Peak Courtyard. For the best viewing location, consider making online dinner reservations at either Rumble’s Bistro & Bar or Castlerock Pub. Hurry up, restrictions apply and both are booking fast. You can also order take-out food and drink online as well.
Sugarbush asks everyone to help ring in the much anticipated 2021 by adhering to safety protocols and plan to arrive, watch and leave.
Dinner
Flannels Bar and Grill
Mendon, 802-855-5135
Flannels returns after a brief closure for a special New Year’s eve, followed by full-service menu resuming on Jan. 1. Seating is limited so make your reservations now.
Choices
Killington, 802-422-4030
Chef Claude and the new owners of Choices restaurant invite all to dine for New Years Ever with specials from the kitchen and a champagne toast at 9 p.m.
Liquid Art
Killington, 802-422-2787
Liquid Art will offer an intimate dining experience this New Year’s Eve. Tee Boneicus Jones will be entertaining with some fantastic music while you dine. Limited seating is available to keep everyone safe, so make your reservations soon.
You can also order the menu as takeout, and it will include two splits of Prosecco. If you wish to order takeout, you must order by noon on Wednesday for pickup Thursday between 4-5 p.m.
Taso on Center
Downtown Rutland, 802-775-8276
Taso on Center is reopening on New Year’s Eve with a special menu and reserved seating! Be sure to make your reservations in advance.
Cluckin’ Cafe
Pittsford, 802-725-8014
Open for dine-in from 5-9 p.m. and offering a $75 take out special, which includes an appetizer, two entrees and two desserts, as well as a bottle of wine or champagne. Pre-order to-go dinners by Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Virtual events
Dinner and a show with Next Stage Arts
Next Stage Arts Project invites the community to a free, virtual New Year’s Eve celebration from, 6 – 90 p.m. featuring performances from a variety of local musicians, puppeteers, poets, storytellers, business owners, and visual artists. Dinner will also be available for takeout, cooked in the Next Stage kitchen by community members, with proceeds being donated to the Putney Foodshelf.
The dinner menu includes za’atar roasted chicken or sweet potatoes with French green lentils, roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts, a soup, salad, and dessert. The dinner costs $30 for the whole meal, or $20 for soup, salad, and dessert. The event is free to any community member who wishes to attend the virtual party without dinner.
Register at flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTAzNDkw or at nextstagearts.org.
Concert with Recycled Percussion
For 14 straight years Recycled Percussion has taken the stage on New Year’s Eve to perform for a sold out audience. For many years they have fans who have never missed a performance. With all that is going on, they had to make the insanely unfortunate decision to cancel the annual holiday tour. However, they came up with an even better idea.
For the last several weeks they have been installing the most insane production they’ve ever had and they will host a New Years’ Eve Live stream concert to your living room.
The music will go from 6 p.m. thru midnight, and will be the first time the band as ever performed until the clock hits 0. They will also be bringing in other bands, artists and special guests to entertain throughout the evening.
There are two package options available. For $40 you can stream the concert or for $77 you can stream the concert and receive a surprise memorabilia item. Tickets are available at chaosandkindness.store/collections/all/products/new-years-eve-concert-live-streaming.
Concert with The Avett Brothers
New Year’s Eve concerts are a long-standing tradition for The Avett Brothers. This year will be no exception marks the band’s 17th annual New Year Eve’s performance. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, the band was determined to continue the ritual, albeit this year reaching even more people with the show being made available to fans across the globe virtually. With their passionate and memorable live performances, this event will be no exception, promising to deliver an extraordinary evening of music.
The virtual concert will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39.99 / $49.99 (HD/4K) per screen and you’ll receive 48-hour access to the video on demand, just incase you can’t join live. The show will include a full band performance with host Dax Shepard, and special guests Willie Nelson, Brandi Carlile, Ben Bridwell, Taylor Goldsmith, Mickey Raphael and more.
PEG TV New Year’s Eve Community Spotlight
Who will star in PEG TV’s New Year’s Eve special? It could be you or someone you know! On New Year’s Eve, the cable access station based in Rutland will air videos of area residents showing their talents, whether it’s singing, comedy, juggling, dancing or reciting poetry. Performances will be played on New Year’s Eve on Comcast channels 1075, 1085 and 1095, VTel channels 163, 164, and 165, and on PEGTV’s social media.
