‘The Big Event’ serves up a teen success on New Year’s Eve; STGnews Videocast

WASHINGTON CITY – New Year’s eve this year may have rung in a new tradition for Southern Utah’s youth, judging from the success of “The Big Event” at the Washington City Community Center Monday night.

The Heart of Dixie, teamed with Cherry Creek Radio’s B92.1 and Washington city to ring in the New Year with a huge party, featuring four entertainment areas: Kid Land offering bounce houses and face painting for the kids, Party Central offering a dance zone with local DJs mixing today’s best music for the teens, The Commons for mingling offering a broadcast of Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest for mom and dad, plus the Chow House offering food for the whole family. In sum, the event was loud and boisterous, much to the taste of the younger set – who comprised a super majority of those in attendance; and not so much to some who were looking for a different and more adult-oriented kind of gathering to substitute for the First Night and Twilight to Midnight New Years Eve events put on by the City of St. George in years past.

“This event was mostly for teenagers, music if you call it that, was too loud, so loud you couldn’t even dance,” Norrene Cox Covington posted on St. George News Facebook, “reminds me of what some would call, music for a RAVE? party. If you wanted to be with the ‘older group’ would have had to pay more money to be upstairs. Wait in line was about an hour, in the cold. Should of had more than 2 people at table. Cost per person at the door, was $15 and up, too much money for this.”

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Videocast by Sarafina Amodt and Chris Caldwell, St. George News

But, The Heart of Dixie organization aims at meeting the taste of youth. “We are here to give you something really fun and new to do with all your friends!” promises its website, stating it will will provide “positive social experiences for the youth of our community … (to) make you dance, make you smile, keep you safe and BLOW YOUR MIND!”  The Big Event delivered on its promises – at least from the perspective of teens.

Entrance line at 8:14 p.m. for 'The Big Event' at the Washington Community Center
Entrance line at 8:14 p.m. for ‘The Big Event’ at the Washington Community Center, New Year’s Eve, Washington, Utah, Dec. 31, 2012 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Total attendance exceeded 1,500 according to Heart of Dixie’s New Year’s morning Facebook post, acknowledging the need for more points of entry next time around. Lines were long by 8 p.m. and temperatures were 30 degrees and falling.

“There’s just so many (people) coming through,” volunteer Claudia Kennington said. “I have no idea how many tickets I’ve sold.”

“This event was incredible!” Destiny Cooper, 17, said. “I’ve had an amazing time.”

Next event on calendar for Heart of Dixie is a neon paint party aptly called “Glow” on Jan. 18 at the Washington County Fairgrounds. For those who like being splashed with color – for example, those who enjoyed Color me Rad – this might be just your speed as its poster quips, “Come in white, leave in color.”

Many have long cried for more events appealing and enjoyable for Dixie’s youth of many ages, Heart of Dixie is making an effort to provide just that.

Happy New Year to all.

Related posts

The Heart of Dixie, Washington City Community Center hosts New Year’s bash; dancing and family fun

St. George News reporter Alexa Verdugo Morgan and Editor Joyce Kuzmanic contributed to this report.

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.

 

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7 Comments

  • Not a Dixie-ite January 1, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    An event geared more for adults? Are you kidding? Everything around here is geared for kids. Adults aren’t supposed to do anything except live vicariously through the lives & activities of their kids. That’s all adults talk about, what their kids did and will be doing. Besides, doesn’t St George have an ordinance against adults dancing?

    • Omari January 1, 2013 at 7:02 pm

      Amen! St. George is a ‘special’ place indeed…Imagine what this place would be without real-world exposure nearby in Vegas and Mesquite? Smh

      • Not a Dixie-ite January 1, 2013 at 10:29 pm

        There is no harm with responsible adults enjoying social outlets and interaction with other responsible adults with similar interests. The comment about “go to Mesquite or Vegas” is old and worn out. Did you know that St George once had dance venues for adults? The city even had dance events for adults on the concrete water tank about the city. The old timers talk about them and how fun they were, before the city imposed a ordinance that halted them.

    • Damie January 2, 2013 at 2:11 pm

      St. George which bills itself as a retirement community has absolutely everything child oriented, Cedar City does a better job of making most things all ages, featuring things of interest to adults as well as kids. It’s why we choose Cedar and avoid St. George. The nasty comments about how if you have no kids currently you’re a degenerate who belongs in Vegas is strange considering the fact that if one does their job as a parent, the kids grow up and move out long before one is ready to dive headfirst into the grave.

  • Jason January 1, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    I recently moved to St. George and did so because of what St. George offers. Since having moved here i can’t believe the people who continually complain about the culture here.

    I moved away from where I lived because i didn’t feel that it offered me the type of life I wanted. I don’t get why all the those who don’t like it here don’t find somewhere else to live. It’s not like you are stuck here because of work as there are much better work options elsewhere.

    Let’s face it, St. George is not changing anytime soon. This comes from an outsider that just moved here from out of state a few months ago, not a “Dixie-ite”. However coming from out of state I don’t take offense to the term Dixie either. I am amazed of the hate here though towards those who are natives to the area. People need to grow up and take responsibility for their happiness and not try to ruin that of everyone else.

    • Damie January 2, 2013 at 2:01 pm

      Ironic that a new move in with stars in his eyes about the region is telling long time residents if you don’t like it the way he wants it then leave. Are we a mecca for aggression and rudeness these days or what? People need to grow up and act like civil adults, not bullying blowhards.

  • Jason January 2, 2013 at 11:07 pm

    All I said was that you are responsible for your own happiness. Why live somewhere that is against everything that you stand for. There are many places that may cater to a society that you feel more comfortable. I’m not the one constantly whining about St. George and how conservative it is.

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