Even though the weather forecast holds rain for today and a slight chance that the showers could turn icy if the temperatures dip, the Opening Night celebrations are planned in the state's capital city. The event's organizers, the Arts Council of Oklahoma City , expect a turnout of at least 70,000 people, reported NewsOK.com .
Opening Night 2013 to Herald in New Year
Opening Night 2013 will be the 27th such family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration in Oklahoma City. With all of the venues indoors, except for the finale stage at Myriad Gardens, Stacy Hawthorne, Communications Director for the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, expects the weather to have little effect on either the planned activities or the anticipated attendees.
Opening Night festivities kick off at 7 p.m. with the countdown beginning at 11:30 p.m. and a fireworks finale at midnight. A warm-up event was held at the Downtown Metro OKC Library from noon to 1 p.m. with Jamie Bramble, acoustic singer and songwriter, providing an early peek into the evening's festivities.
Who, Where and How Much Does It Cost?
Wristbands for Opening Night 2013 are available for $8 if purchased prior to the event; $10 at the event itself. Children age 5 and younger will be admitted free of charge.
Pre-event wristbands can be purchased at a variety of places, including 7-Eleven stores of Oklahoma, MidFirst Bank, Science Museum Oklahoma and Oklahoma City metro Homeland stores. Wristbands purchased at Opening Night can be purchased outside Myriad Gardens, the Cox Business Services Conventions Center, Devon Energy Center, Bank of Oklahoma or at Leadership Square.
Anyone and everyone are invited to attend. Families are welcome and will find that this year's activities, like those of the past, are alcohol-free.
This map , provided by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, shows the venues, parking, streets that will be closed for the event and more, including where to pick up free party favors. Before driving downtown tonight, you may want to check OKC180.com for up-to-date street closures.
Both the Oklahoma City Barons and the Oklahoma City Thunder have home games tonight, which Opening Night organizers feel certain will boost attendance at the New Year's Eve event. You may want to plan your arrival accordingly.
Family Fun at Opening Night 2013
The Cox Convention Center will again be host to the Children's Area, a place chock full of fun things to see and do such as face painting, an inflatable obstacle course and festive art projects in which the kids can participate. The Scavenger Hunt kicks off the evening at 7 p.m. at the Cox Convention Center. There will be musicians in the streets around the various venues also.
For additional fees, the family can skate outdoors at the Devon Ice Rink located in Myriad Gardens; show your Opening Night wristband and skate for $7, skate rental included. Another option from noon to 10 p.m. is Chesapeake Snow Tubing at the Redhawks field in Bricktown. Cost is $10 for each 90-minute session.
Bottom Line
There's sure to be something for everyone with music and festivities planned throughout the evening. The toughest part of the night may be deciding which show or event to catch next.
