Downtown Indy, Inc. Suspends Annual New Year's Eve Celebration

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Attendees of Downtown Indy Inc.'s annual New Year's Eve Celebration on Georgia Street will have to make other plans to bring in the new year. Downtown Indy, Inc. announced in a release Tuesday it will suspend Indy's annual celebration after a four-year run, citing "rising costs" for putting on a weather-dependent event as the main reason for not holding a fifth annual event.

The large-scale, free, public event included the lowering of an authentic IndyCar at midnight (pictured) to lead the countdown into the new year, and drew as more than 40,000 revelers two years ago, according to a release. The annual event had been supported solely by Downtown Indy, Inc. and sponsor revenue.

Downtown Indy Inc. said last year’s sub-zero temperatures on Dec. 31 and heavy snowfall early in the day that wasn't in the forecast almost caused a last-minute cancellation of festivities.

“We’re disappointed we’re unable to once again offer this free event for the community this year,” said Bob Schultz, senior vice president of events and marketing for Downtown Indy, Inc. “In the end, with the increasing costs of appropriately staging the annual civic celebration on Georgia Street that required extensive lighting, outdoor heating, sound equipment, staging, security, emergency readiness, staffing, etc., we would not be prudent stewards of our nonprofit resources to continue. With that said, we have especially appreciated the Indiana Union Construction Industry’s support as our top presenting sponsor these past four years.”

Downtown Indy, Inc. is supporting a new partnership with Lyft Indianapolis for New Year’s Eve, according to a release. Lyft’s “Resolve to Ride Smart” effort will feature a rideshare lounge on Georgia Street where those interested in securing a responsible ride home or back to their hotels after midnight can wait in a warm, safe space steps away from that evening's Downtown New Year’s Eve events.

According to Downtown Indy, Inc., the Lyft Rideshare Lounge on Georgia Street will include restrooms, hot chocolate, entertainment and New Year’s giveaways.

Here's a preview of Dec. 31, 2018 Downtown New Year’s Eve events:

• Countdown to Noon, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Family New Year’s Eve, Indiana State Museum, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve Party with The Doo!, The Rathskeller; The Doo! performs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• New Year’s Eve: A Night at Studio 54, The Pavilion at Pan Am, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• New Year’s Eve Bash at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, begins at 8 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball, Union Station, 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
• New Year’s Eve at Howl at the Moon, begins at 7 p.m.

More: downtownindy.org

Stay tuned: Patch will have a guide to New Year's Eve festivities across the Indianapolis area.

Photo credit: Downtown Indy, Inc.