NATCHEZ — As the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, Miss-Lou residents will have their pick of how they decide to ring in the New Year.

“If you want to have a good time, we’re the place,” Director of Vidalia Conference and Convention Center H.L. Irvin said.

Irvin said the night is set to kick off with doors opening at 7 p.m.

At 9 p.m. Easy Eddie and the Party Rockers will take the stage from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Irvin said he anticipated to see more than 500 people at the semi formal event, and those planning to attend will be welcome to make themselves at home.

“You can bring your own finger foods and the ice chests,” Irvin said.

“We will provide a ride from the parking lot to the door and a ride to go look at the Christmas decorations (along the waterfront,)” Irvin said.

Rides will also be provided to partygoers staying at the Comfort Suites next door to the conference center.

Tickets for the event cost $25 per person and can be purchased at the convention center and at the door the night of New Year’s Eve.

Across the river at the Natchez Convention Center, Events Coordinator Andrea Cater said partygoers have a night of music, dancing and socializing in store for them.

“We are going to have a party band out of New Orleans called Bag of Donuts,” Cater said. “One of them dresses up like a member of KISS and they have these different costumes they wear. They play music from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.

“I hear they are a pretty lively band and we’re going to need a lot of people to come out and just have fun,” Cater said.

Tickets can be purchased for $50 a person at The Natchez Grand Hotel, the convention center and at the doors the night of the party.

Tickets will cover two drinks at the center’s cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, party favors and champagne at midnight.

“The doors open at 8 p.m. and the band starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m.,” Cater said.

The Grand Soleil Hotel will be revamping its menu for the night’s festivities and offering musical entertainment to its guests.

General manager Wendy Grandin said the evening’s festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner being served until 10 p.m..

Grandin said guests are welcome to stick around and enjoy the view of the river and also the night’s entertainment.

“Hopefully they eat and come join us in the bar,” Grandin said.

“We are having a celebration in the lounge. MoJo Mudd will be playing from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.”

The event is free to the public.

“There is an open invitation. The more the merrier,” Grandin said.

To make reservations for New Year’s Eve, call Grand Soleil at 888-946-4727 or 601-442-9976.

Grandin said for partygoers who don’t get their fill of fun on New Year’s Eve are welcome to come to VUE Lounge New Year’s Day to hear Rus & Andy’s Acoustic Extravaganza from 9:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.