Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 31, 1993 TAG: 9401060235
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Long
Celebrants who didn't trek to Louisiana for the Independence Bowl between the Hokies and the Hoosiers can get a head start on the year-end festivities at P.K.'s in Blacksburg, which is billing itself as the local ``Hokie headquarters for the Independence Bowl.''
Following is a representative sampling of secular New Year's observances at area establishments:
Anchy's Restaurant & Lounge, 1600 N. Main St., Blacksburg (951-2828) is offering a choice of dinner specials by reservation.
Best Western Radford Inn, 1501 Tyler Ave. (639-3000) will have top-40/country band Shalico in the ballroom and Karaoke in the bar with M.C. Steve Sams. With reserved ballroom tickets, you get heavy hors d'ouvres and party favors, and you can circulate between the ballroom and lounge. There's a special price for sleepovers, too. Open 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Champions, 111 N. Main St., Blacksburg (951-2222 or 953-1050) isn't planning anything special, but ``we're going to be going crazy,'' a spokesman said. No live entertainment, ``just the bartenders.''
Ellery's Blues & More, 220 N. Washington St., Pulaski (994-0875) will have three bands: Southern rockers Dangerous Curves, bluesmen Frankie and the Blue Lights and r&b ensemble Power Force. They're open 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. and offer dinner-and-show or breakfast-and-show packages. Champagne at midnight, of course.
The Farmhouse, Christiansburg (382-4253 or 382-3965) will offer diners a free glass of the bubbly and party favors in the lounge at midnight.
Frizbee's at the Blacksburg Holiday Inn, 3503 Holiday Lane, off South Main (951-1330) will feature deejay Mike Knight with top-40 music and ``a little bit of country also.'' They offer champagne, hors d'ouvres and cut-rate rooms if you want to stay over.
Huckleberry Inn, Christiansburg (381-2382) has scheduled Wasted Acres in\ Sundance lounge and Clockwork in Whispers lounge.
They've got packages with or without lodging that include reserved seats on the dance floor, a dinner buffet, party favors, hors d'ouvres and champagne at midnight.
Dine between 5 and 10 p.m. and they'll cut the lounge admission. Reservations are recommended.
Jacob's Lounge, Blacksburg Marriott (552-7001) has three dinner, dancing and lodging combination packages. Party favors and champagne at midnight; reservations recommended.
Maxwell's, 204 N. Main St., Blacksburg (552-3300) will have The Dan Sandidge Trio, a jazz combo, in the lounge. For diners, they'll feature a six-course special, and if you eat there, there's no cover in the lounge. Otherwise, it's $8. Things get under way around 9 p.m.
P.K.'s, 432 N. Main St., Blacksburg (552-1577) will open its doors to New Year's celebrants at 10 p.m. During the day, they'll have a large-screen TV and five smaller sets for Independence Bowl viewing, with beverage specials and a half-time buffet. The game starts at noon, but Rock 105 (WVVV 104.9 FM) will do a live remote broadcast starting at 10:30 a.m.
Pine Tavern, Floyd (745-4482) has been taking reservations by telephone for New Year's Eve.
South Main Cafe, Blacksburg (552-3622) will feature ``The Richard Jesse Project,'' which a spokesman described as a ``guitar-intensive'' local group. Things start happening at 10 p.m. Champagne and sparkling cider will be available at midnight.
Some establishments that depend on student help, student customers, or both, have opted out of the New Year's Eve scene entirely.
The Balcony in Blacksburg is closed. Hot Chilies Bar and Grille in Radford is taking advantage of the break to do some remodeling. They'll re-open Tuesday.
On the other side of the spectrum, several area churches have announced services to usher in the New Year:
The Bible Holiness Church, 611 S. Franklin St., Christiansburg, has a Watch Night Service 7:30 p.m. until midnight. Call Betty Moore, 731-1298, for details.
Corners View Pentecostal Holiness Church holds a Watch Night service 8:30-midnight, at the church, five miles on Little River Dam Road (Virginia 605), Radford.
The Rev. Donald Linkous and the Rev. Rupert Quesenberry will preach. There will be music and footwashing, and the Lord's Supper will be celebrated.
Merrimac Pentecostal Holiness Church has a Watch Night service 8 p.m.-midnight, in the church fellowship hall on Merrimac Road, Blacksburg. The Rev. David Wood, Christian education Director of the Appalachian Conference, will be the guest speaker and singer.
Jerry Sloss, 552-5070, can tell you more.
Grace Assembly, 2030 Redwood Drive, Christiansburg, will have a Watch Night service, 8 p.m.-midnight. Pastors Nathan Phillips and Bob Goldstein will be co-hosts. The Rev. Walter Smith will be the guest speaker. ``Streams in the Desert'' will sing.
Lords Full Gospel Mission Church, Pilot, will have a Watch Night Service.
Saint Jude Roman Catholic Church, in temporary quarters at 7318 Peppers Ferry Road, Fairlawn, holds a New Year's Eve Mass at 5:30 p.m. Call 639-5341 for more information.
Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 706 Harding Ave., Blacksburg, celebrates Mass at 5 p.m. at the War Memorial Chapel on the Virginia Tech campus.
Enjoy a safe New Year's Eve and the year ahead!
by CNB