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Photo and illustration by TRISHA MURPHY/Palatka Daily News – It seems as though Andrew “Andy” Froehlich, 1, is not quite ready to ring in the new year. At least not until he finds his giant lollipop he was promised.
There are numerous events taking place in the coming days for people to wave goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024.
Listed below are just some of the events slated to occur across the county:
SUNDAY
– A 2023 New Year’s Eve Celebration will be from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday at 109 North Beech St.
The event will be themed “Double for Your Trouble” and will feature guest speakers Apostle A.J. Fisher at 11 a.m. and Bishop K. Woodard at 10 p.m.
Fish and grits will be served after the 10 p.m. service. The public is invited.
– New Beginning Baptist Church, 915 S. Moody Road in Palatka, will host a gospel concert featuring Billy Walker starting at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Walker was named a nominee for the Top 10 Favorite New Artist Singing New Fan Award in 2023. He also was a nominee for Gospel/Christian/Inspirational Album of the Year by Josie Music Awards this year for “The Final Score.” He received recognition for Gospel Song of the Year as a nominee for “The Gospel Truth.”
Walker performed Oct. 22 at the Grand Ole Opry House.
The concert is free but a love offering will be accepted for Walker.
– New Life Temple Fellowship Inc. will have a Watch Night service beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday at 161 W. Louis Broer Road in East Palatka. Bishop Mark Jones is presiding prelate and Carol Jones is the pastor. For details, call Minnie Hagans at 386-546-3749.
– Azalea City Brewing Co., 120 S. Seventh St. in Palatka, will host a New Year’s Eve celebration from 1 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Sunday.
Highlights will include the Bacon and Bubbles Food Truck from 2-6 p.m., Papa Ray’s BBQ from 6-10 p.m., trivia by John Skidmore and Mike Eidson from 8-10 p.m., and DJ Johns entertaining from 10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. A beer or champagne toast at midnight will be half-price. For details, call Andrea Conover or the bartender at 386-530-2084.
– The Cheyenne Saloon New Year’s Eve Party with music by Davy Daniels will start at 8 p.m. Sunday.
There will be no cover charge but there will be party favors, free champagne at midnight, and a meal of black-eyed peas, rice, pork, and sauerkraut after midnight. The public is invited.
MONDAY
– St. Monica Catholic Church, 114 S. Fourth St. in Palatka, invites the community to join them for their New Year’s Day Mass at 10 a.m. Monday. For details, call 386-325-9777.
– Celebrate Recovery Live Concert will feature Halfway to Heaven Band starting at 7 p.m. Monday at Life Church, 2701 Reid St. in Palatka. Highlights will include a barbecue starting at 5:45 p.m.
The event will be outdoors and guests should bring a lawn chair. The public is invited.