CHICAGO (WLS) — For the first time in its history Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest will have a countdown to midnight here in the central time zone.
And by here, we mean right here, in Chicago. While millions will watch the celebrations on TV, Chicagoans can be there. Kristen Reynolds has been President and CEO of Choose Chicago since May. She says Mayor Brandon Johnson told her right away that he wanted to put Chicago on the map on New Year’s Eve.
For the first time in its history Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest will have a countdown to midnight here in the central time zone.
She says “we’re going to do just that.” The celebration will begin at 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be beautiful. There’s going to be a wonderful, custom, audio-visual production on the Merchandise Mart, Art on the Mart.” At 9pm, the entertainment starts. Reynolds says it’s really going to showcase “our vibe in Chicago.” The entertainment includes DJ Mike Dunn, DJ Mike P, poet and artist J. Ivy, Blues singer Shemekia Copeland and Grammy winner Chance the Rapper.
“If you think about the kinds of New Year’s Eve in Times Square, this is the vibe we’re going for.”
The stage will be at Wacker and Franklin. Those who want to attend will have to go through one of two entrances, one on Wells and one on Lake Street. For those who want to attend Reynolds says “you just show up”, they do not need to get tickets in advance.
“All you have to do is pack your patience, because it is going to be very tight security getting into the event, understandably. We want it to be a safe event for everyone who’s in attendance.” She recommends that people arrive early.
For the first time in its history Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest will have a countdown to midnight here in the central time zone.
So, what does it mean that Chicago’s going to be in the national spotlight on New Year’s Eve, “If you think about it, there are three cities that are going to be featured on New Year’s Eve.
It starts with New York City which has established itself as this iconic New Year’s Eve. And then it’s wonderful to be in that same realm. Chicago should be exactly aligned with that.”
For more information:
https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/holidays/new-years-eve-celebrate-in-chicago/
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