STORY:
Phoenix Staging Various NYE parties

Neighboring cities planning several huge events, concerts

If you are anywhere near the Phoenix Arizona area for New Year's Eve, there will be allot to choose from as several area cities are offering celebrations from rock concerts to family fun events to celebrity impersonators.

The city of Phoenix is planning to seal off 12 square blocks of its downtown to stage a first-ever New Year's Eve block party, what city officials say will be the largest New Year's Eve celebration in city's history.

Celebration 2000 as it's being called, will feature the reunion of Arizona's most famous pop-rock group, the Gin Blossoms and two fireworks shows. Waylon Jennings, Steppenwolf and Three Dog Night are also on tap, as well as local bands the Gas Giants, Pistoleros and Peacemakers.

A kids-only fireworks display will take place at 9 p.m., followed by another, much larger show at midnight, festival spokesman Keith Winn told The Arizona Republic. Cost of admission has yet to be announced, but it will be free to those 12 and under. The Family Fun Zone, an area for children, will be at Heritage Square and Science Park, and the festival will have a beer garden.

Tempe Arizona will stage its annual New Year's Eve block party that is usually attended by 100,000 people. So far, no big music act for the party has been announced.

Nearby Glendale Arizona is offering a little bit of Las Vegas without the thousand-dollar price tag. You won't see Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond at the Glendale Civic Center, but you will see their impersonators. Included in the evening are dinner, a house band and the traditional countdown to midnight.

In Sedona Arizona, they will be celebrating the mystical side of the city with Sedona 2000, a weeklong event featuring workshops, seminars and lifestyle-guru Deepak Chopra (via satellite). It's at the Poco Diablo Resort and costs $2,500 to $3,500, which includes lodging and meals.

There are plenty of New Year's Eve entertainment to choose from. The biggest most likely will be reunion concert of the Judds at the America West Arena. Tickets for the 9 p.m. concert at America West Arena are $99-$199. Jerry Riopelle is returns to Celebrity Theatre with tickets going for $32-$48. And Phoenix Symphony is holding a Millennium Celebration Concert at Symphony Hall. Tickets are $25-$45.

If you want to avoid the New Year's Eve all together and celebrated 15 days later, then go to Gilbert Arizona. The city of Gilbert Arizona has come up an " I Survived Y2K Party," 15 day's after New Year day.

The all-day event to take place January 15 is a scaled-down version of Tempe's annual Fiesta Bowl Block Party New Year's Eve Bash. The party calls for live bands and outdoor games.

DATE: 9/16/99

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