Free Clinic hosting New Year’s event
Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge presents a free New Year’s Eve Countdown Sunday, Dec. 31, through Monday, Jan. 1, at A.K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge.
Visitors can eat, drink, watch a ball drop, and even ride in a hot air balloon. The event starts at 9 p.m. and continues until 1 a.m. The park is at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
“The event’s going to be an incredible community party for the area, so we can all ring in the New Year as a community,” said Billy Edmonds, executive director of Free Medical Clinic.
He said the event will celebrate what’s happened in 2023 and look forward to what will happen in 2024.
Naomi Asher of United Way of Anderson County will be the master of ceremonies for the whole event. It will be the first New Year’s Eve event of its kind in Oak Ridge.
“We saw that there was nothing available for the community for New Year’s Eve, and we thought, ‘Why couldn’t we host this?’” Edmonds said regarding Free Medical Clinic’s role.
Those who can’t make it in person can watch coverage of the event on BBB-TV, Facebook and YouTube.
The event will feature live bands and food trucks.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Harriman has designed and built a ball-drop device with lights in the shape of an atomic symbol, starting 41 feet off the ground.
Fireworks will go off at midnight.
Most of the event will be free with the exception of the hot air balloon rides and an adult area for people over age of 21, serving beer, hard cider and wine.
ARC and Emory Valley Center will sponsor a special area for people with sensory issues.
Other sponsors include Brird, D. Coffey, Tennessee. College of Applied Technology, city of Oak Ridge, BBB-TV (cable channel 12), M&M productions and Holoway Event Management.