The U.S.S. Constellation has three advantages over every other venue for New Year?s Eve ? location, location, location.
“It?s quite literally the best place to see the fireworks,” said Chris Rowsom, Executive Director of the Constellation. “It?s high above the crowds in the Inner Harbor.”
The Constellation will host its 7th annual New Year?s Eve Deck Party, with proceeds from the event going to support ongoing restoration projects by the museum, as well as education programming.
“A lot of people who come on board are usually very interested in the ship itself,” Rowsom said.
During the evening, guests will have the opportunity to tour the ship, enter giveaways and witness cannon firings. Although there isn?t alive band, “we do have music, so if guests want to dance, they can dance,” Rowsom said. “It?s a very casual, family-oriented event.”
The Ports America New Year?s Eve Spectacular will be taking place in the Inner Harbor. The event features the largest fireworks show at the Harbor since the millennium. This year, a third fireworks barge has been added to the show.
More than 50,000 people are expected to participate in the spectacular, depending on weather, said Tracy Baskerville, Communications Director for the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts.
“It will be one of the biggest fireworks shows ever at the Inner Harbor. There will be even more colorful bursts to see as 2008 rolls in especially for those south and east of the Inner Harbor basin,” Baskerville said.
The event begins at 9 p.m. with The Players Band, an eight-piece ska band from Baltimore. At midnight, Zambelli Fireworks Internationale will present their musically choreographed fireworks show.
The Frederick Douglass ? Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum will celebrate their first New Year?s with an exclusive waterfront party which will include African American Watch Night choir performances, ballroom dance demonstrations and live jazz.
IF YOU GO
USS Constellation Museum New Year?s Eve Deck Party
USS Constellation Museum, 301 E. Pratt St., Baltimore; 9 p.m.; $60 to $75; 410-539-1797.
Ports America Presents Baltimore?s New Year?s Eve Spectacular
Baltimore?s Inner Harbor between Pratt, Light and President streets, Baltimore; 9:30 p.m.; Free; 410-752-8632.
First Annual Waterfront New Year?s Celebration
Frederick Douglass ? Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum, 1417 Thames St., Baltimore; 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.; $65 to $120; 410-685-0295.
OTHER NEW YEAR?S EVE EVENTS
Annapolis Alive! New Year?s Eve
Main Street, Annapolis; 7:30 p.m.; Free; www.annapolisalive.org.
New Year?s Eve Fireworks
Havre de Grace Middle School, 401 Lewis Lane, Havre de Grace; midnight; Free; 410-939-2100
New Year?s Eve Party featuring Matt Walker and Craig Boarman
The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St., Baltimore; 9 p.m.; $5; 410-662-0069.
Swingin? New Year?s Eve Gala with Billy Price Band
Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis; 6:45 p.m.; $113; 410-268-4545
New Year?s with Clutch, Priestess, and Puny Human
Rams Head Live!, 20 Market Place, Baltimore; 9 p.m.; $35 to $38; 443-482-9277.
Mother?s New Year?s Eve Ball
Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway, Baltimore; 9 p.m.; $89 to $169; 410-727-4808.
New Year?s Eve 2007 with The Mahoney Brothers
Includes Buffet and Champagne Toast, Recher Theatre, 512 York Road, Towson; 8 p.m.; $25; 410-337-7178
The Grilled Lincolns, The Cheaters, HotBox and 3 Fifths
The 8×10, 10 E. Cross St., Baltimore; 7:30 p.m.; $8 to $48; 410-625-2000.
New Year?s Eve at the Top of the World
Top of the World Observation Level/World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt St., 27th Floor, Baltimore; 9:30 p.m.; $20 to $30; 410-837-8439.
New Year?s Eve Party with Old Man Brown
Cat?s Eye Pub, 1730 Thames St., Fells Point; 9 p.m.; Free; 410-276-9866.
A Mobtown New Year?s Eve
Waterfront Hotel, 1710 Thames St., Baltimore; 9 p.m.; $55 to $100; 410-467-3057.
