Midnight on Main Street, Patchogue’s popular New Year’s Eve celebration, is going to have a new look this Dec. 31.
The Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce and Gerry Crean, the chairperson of the event, came up with a safe, virtual way of ringing in 2021 with the community.
David Kennedy, executive director of the chamber, said the virtual event is gathered footage from past Midnight on Mains, including behind the scenes footage and encouraging words from Mayor Pontieri, Suffolk County legislator Robert Calarco, and other community leaders.
The program will run for 30 minutes starting at 8:30 p.m. on the Greater Patchogue Chamber Facebook page.
Like in years past, the New Year’s Eve countdown usually happens at 9 p.m.
Kennedy said even though it’s called Midnight on Main Street, holding the event before midnight is a way for Patchogue families and friends to celebrate together before tuning into the official ball drop in New York City.
“You can celebrate with your Patchogue friends, and still have plenty of time to catch the big show in Times Square later in the evening,” Kennedy said.
Crean said he is grateful to continue the Midnight on Main tradition this year, even if that means going digital.
He said Midnight on Main has gained a lot of momentum over the years and has become a popular way for the community to reflect on the past year and cheers to the next one.
“It’s been a great, positive event,” said Crean. “All things being what they are, I’m very appreciative that we are able to do something to carry on the tradition and do it in this manner in which we can remain safe and be connected.”
Kennedy and Crean said if another Midnight on Main is canceled in the future, they will consider the virtual celebration as an alternative.
In the past, Kennedy said there have been up to 5,000 people gathering on Main Street for the event.
The hope is that next New Year’s Eve, the Patchogue community can be shoulder-to-shoulder watching the ball-rising together once again.
“We feel very confident with the vaccine in place that we should be back live on Main Street next year, and this is a great way to keep the brand and the event alive through this,” he said.
For more information on the virtual event, visit the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce website.
Top: The crowd from 2017’s Midnight on Main event (file photo)
