Hundreds of people converged on downtown Jasper Saturday night to ring in the new year.
With the growth of the downtown area in recent years, Jasper has become a destination for some looking to enjoy food and entertainment on New Year’s Eve.
A new event for NYE 2022 was a popup restaurant by Black Rock Bistro held at Jasper Bottle & Tap. The craft beer shop was filled with people inside as well as having many people sitting along the sidewalks nearby, enjoying food and fellowship.
“What makes New Year’s Eve in downtown special is that it feels like family getting together,” said Jim Odom, owner of JB&T. “You get to see folks you might not have seen for a while and you get to meet great people. It’s satisfying when you lay down at the end of the night knowing that people ended the year on a happy note. It’s an honor to be a small part of that.”
Drew Gilbert, operating partner of Tallulah Brewing Company and Twisted Barley Brewing Company, said this year’s event was his favorite in their five years of counting down to the new year at TBC.
“Seeing all the energy in downtown from Black Rock doing a street popup at JB&T and live music at Twisted & Pie Factory and a big crowd at Crawfish Warehouse was just so exciting for me. Downtown is offering so much to folks now and is certainly becoming such a great place to ring in a New Year.”
Bryan “Barry Bangerz” Baker has served as the DJ each year at Tallulah Brewing Company, saying he always enjoys the event.
“It’s fun every year. I’m just thankful that Jasper and Tallulah have allowed me to be a part of it,” Baker said. “It’s fun growing with the event and seeing so many enjoy themselves care free. That’s what it’s all about. I love it man. What a time!”
All the fun was had without incident as well.
“New Year’s went really well with no serious issues or arrest due to celebrations,” Jasper Police Chief J.C. Poe said. “Everyone seemed to behave while bringing in the new year.”
