Countdown Seaside: A Fun, Family-Friendly Event to Ring in the New Year

Countdown Seaside

This year, celebrate New Year’s Eve with a family-friendly event at Seaside featuring live music, street performers, kids’ activities and a fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico.

Nashville up-and-comers MamaDear will open the show at the Seaside Amphitheater with their entertaining blend of Americana and folk. Then, The Dirty Guv’nahs, a six-piece American roots rock band known for its lively performances, will rock out the last hours of 2014. A dazzling midnight fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico will follow.

Throughout the evening, the young — and young-at-heart — can enjoy stilt walkers, magicians, face painting, balloon sculptors and an Abrakadoodle craft station where kids of all ages can create their own New Year’s noise makers and other treats.

The free event starts at 7 p.m. Music begins at 8.

At midnight the fireworks will explode into the sky from a barge in front of Bud and Alley’s. Spectators can view the show from the beach or from the Seaside Amphitheater where a synchronized music soundtrack will be broadcast.

Before the festivities, stop by the front desk at Cottage Rental Agency on the east side of Seaside’s Central Square for an exclusive meet-and-greet with the Dirty Guv’nahs and MamaDear. The bands will perform a few songs and pose for photos with fans. It’s Heavenly will provide cookies and cocoa. The event will run for about an hour starting at 4:30 p.m.