THE GATEWAY, DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE AND THE BLOCKS’ ANNUAL LAST HURRAH! NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION TAKES ON A NEW, COVID-FRIENDLY FORMAT WITH VIRTUAL STREAMING & LIMITED IN-PERSON VIEWING.
The 4th annual Last Hurrah! New Year’s Eve celebration at The Gateway will be held on December 31, but with a modified, virtual format that allows revelers to ring in 2021 and view the local fireworks show in a safe, COVID-friendly manner. The countdown to Midnight and fireworks display, a partnership between The Gateway and THE BLOCKS, will stream live via LasthurrahSLC.com, AttheGateway.com and the YouTube Chanel – The Gateway. A 45 minute pre-show to the countdown and fireworks will begin at 11:15 p.m. and will feature live music from Social Antidote to kick off the virtual party. An array of prizes will be given out every 20 minutes to viewers. While the event is primarily virtual, there will be a limited number of pre-registered, socially distanced spots for in-person firework viewing at The Gateway.
102 spots that accommodate up to six members of the same household can be reserved for a $6 donation to the Utah Food Bank. Viewing spots have a minimum of eight feet of space between them, and you can choose a desired viewing section on the map. VIP sections are also available for a $15 donation. Spots can be reserved at atthegateway.com or on the Facebook event page.
Those with confirmed spots can arrive beginning at 11 p.m. and must be in their spots by 11:40 p.m. Any remaining spots will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. As a show of appreciation to healthcare workers who have risen to the challenges of caring for COVID patients, 10 of the 102 reserved spots have been offered to University of Utah ICU staff and their families. Masks are required to be worn at all times, and there will be hand sanitizer stations at every entry point. This event is outdoors, and social distancing between viewing spots will be monitored.
“We know so many people have felt disconnected from their community this year, so we wanted to come up with up a fun, safe way to have one last hurrah for 2020 as a community. Our NYE Celebration has been reimagined as a way to party together, even if it’s from home.” says Jacklyn Briggs, The Gateway’s Marketing Director. “We encourage everyone to safely tune in and countdown with their pandemic pod.”
Along with the NYE countdown, beginning Thursday, December 17, the community is invited to contribute their hopes and dreams for 2021 in The Gateway’s Wildest Dream Machines. Designed by local artist Emma Shipley, the large boxes will be placed in the Plaza and at Restaurant Row and ready to be filled with all your hopes and dreams for 2021. Some of the Wildest Dreams submissions will be read during the Last Hurrah! festivities and Gateway gift cards awarded to those who contribute. Dream Machines will be up through January.
Lucas Goodrich, program director for THE BLOCKS says, “THE BLOCKS is proud to partner with The Gateway to present a new take on Last Hurrah!. Although the festivities will look different this year, we are excited to continue this beloved yearly event, especially at a time when our community is searching for opportunities to come together and celebrate. While we have moved primarily online this year, you can still expect amazing performances from Salt Lake City’s talented musicians. Tune in on NYE and ring in 2021 with us.”
Several businesses at The Gateway will stay open until midnight to provide food and drinks. These include HallPass-food hall, Dave & Buster’s and The Store Fine Foods.
