A new idea for New Years

Andrew Edwards

New Yorkers have celebrated the beginning of the new year by dropping

the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball since 1907 became 1908. This

year, plans are in the works for an orange-flavored attempt to

replicate the Big Apple’s tradition in Costa Mesa.

“It’s apple versus orange, literally, at this point,” event

promoter Rich Goodwin said. “West Coast versus East Coast. But

obviously, we have a long way to go before we make that claim. They

do a good job in New York.”

If Goodwin’s plans go through, the inaugural Orange County New

Year’s Eve will ring in 2006 at the Orange County Fair & Exposition

Center. Although no contract has been signed with the fairgrounds to

host the party, the proposed party is already being promoted at the

fair and on the Internet.

Putting on a large-scale New Year’s Eve event that would be capped

by dropping a large orange, like New York’s famous lighted ball, has

been an idea on Goodwin’s mind for about eight years, he said.

Fair officials don’t want to make a final agreement to host the

event unless neighbors give the idea a thumbs-up, said Mark Entner

the fairgrounds’ director of event sales and services.

Fair officials would rather take it slow and get Costa Mesans’

approval for a long-term commitment than give the go-ahead for a

blowout that could risk raising the neighborhoods’ ire.

“The bottom line is, we want to make sure this is an event that’s

not just a one-year event,” Entner said.

If Goodwin has his way, his proposed event will become a West

Coast tradition for decades to come.

“We want this event to be around for 100 years,” Goodwin said.

The advertising for Goodwin’s proposal shows plans for a decidedly

adult occasion. Planned party venues have monikers like “Blues &

Booze,” “Wine Country” and the “Martini Lounge.” Entertainment for

the event would include musical performances on three stages.

Headline bands would play on the main stage, one side stage would

feature acts from the 1980s, and another would be dedicated to modern

acts.

“Social Distortion would fit in there perfectly,” Goodwin said,

naming the veteran Orange County rockers as one of the bands he would

like to book.

Goodwin wants to hold a talent contest for young musicians with an

appearance at the main stage as the prize.

“What a break for a high school band,” Goodwin said.

A public meeting for neighbors to voice any ideas they may have

about the New Year’s Eve plan is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Aug. 4 at

the fairgrounds. So far, the proposed event has earned the approval

of Mesa del Mar Homeowners Assn. president Lisa Reedy, who said none

of the neighbors she has spoken with have concerns about the idea.

Goodwin’s plans, Reedy said, would mark a major departure from

past New Year’s celebrations around Mesa del Mar.

“New Year’s Eve is traditionally, you go out and a bunch of people

are banging pots and pans together,” she said. “That’s about it.”

* ANDREW EDWARDS covers business and the environment. He can be

reached at (714) 966-4624 or by e-mail at andrew.edwards@latimes.com.