People looking for a place to celebrate, eat and/or sleep on New Year's Eve have several options locally.
In some cases, the answer to all three is the same place.
The Comfort Inn in Marietta will play host to a "Ball Drop Burlesque Bash," a "Moulin Rouge"-themed evening featuring six or seven members of the Athens-based burlesque troupe, Boxcar Burlesque.
"We just wanted to come up with something a little different," said Comfort Inn employee Josh Kunz, who knows one of the women in the troupe. "She came to my mind and I (gave) her a call, and she thought it was a great idea."
Doors open at 8 p.m., with the performances starting at 9 in the hotel's ballroom. In between dancers, a DJ will provide music.
The Comfort Inn is offering overnight packages with the event, although people can also come only for the performance and party at a rate of $30 for individuals and $50 for couples.
Fact Box
New Year's Eve events
Surf and Turf New Year's Eve dinner party, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5108, Marietta; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; live entertainment, dinner, dance, party favors and pork and kraut at midnight; $25 for singles and $40 for couples for everything, $15 a person for dinner or dancing only; to sign up, 374-9038.
New Year's Eve Party, American Legion Post 64, Marietta; 6 p.m.; DRIVEN band featuring Jimmy Bauman; advance tickets and table reservations, 374-9484.
New Year's Eve Party, Knights of Columbus Hall at Churchtown on Ohio 676 west of Marietta; doors open at 7 p.m., meal at 8, music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; mixers, snacks, euchre area, party favors; $30 per couple; 896-2117.
Ball Drop Burlesque Bash, Comfort Inn, Marietta; featuring Boxcar Burlesque from Athens, "Moulin Rouge" theme; doors open at 8 p.m., performances start at 9; $30 per person or $50 per couple, with overnight packages starting at $150 per couple; for reservations, 374-8190.
New Year's Eve party at the Lafayette Hotel, Marietta; 8 p.m.; music by the Titus Canbe band; package includes midnight breakfast buffet and champagne toast, overnight accommodations available; for reservations, 800-331-9336 or 373-5522.
Valley Gem dinner cruise, Marietta; 8 p.m.; dinner in heated, fully enclosed, lower deck, music and midnight champagne toast; for reservations, 373-7862.
New Year's Eve dance, American Legion Post 159, Williamstown; music by DJ Jack Horton, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; appetizers, party favors; $10 for singles, $15 for couples.
New Year's Eve at Marietta Brewing Company, Marietta; 9 p.m.; live entertainment from Backroad Remedy, party favors, door prizes, midnight champagne toast, $5 cover charge; www.mbcpub.com or 373-2739.
New Year's Eve Party and Masquerade Ball, Adelphia Music Hall, The Galley, Marietta; music by local band Hit Parade starts at 9:30 p.m.; $10 per person; 374-8278 or www.thegalleymarietta.com.
2012 Year's End Celebration, Holiday Inn, Marietta; lounge party, music from a DJ; overnight packages start at $95 per couple and include party admittance, room, midnight champagne, heavy appetizers and New Year's Day brunch; for reservations, 374-9660.
The Lafayette Hotel and Holiday Inn in Marietta are also offering deals on rooms in conjunction with their events. The Lafayette will feature music by the local Titus Canbe band, while the Holiday Inn has booked a DJ.
Another local band, Backroad Remedy, will provide the musical accompaniment for the Marietta Brewing Company's New Year's Eve festivities.
"Most of the members are former members of Radio 1," said restaurant owner Dana Styer.
The Brewery drew a large crowd last Dec. 31, and Styer expects another one this year.
"It's a lot of the regulars, but we also do get a lot of people that don't get to go out regularly," she said.
Local music will also be featured at the Adelphia Music Hall at The Galley on Second Street in Marietta, as Hit Parade headlines the New Year's Eve show once again. This year's activities also include a masquerade ball.
Area veterans organizations will ring in the new year with events of their own.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5108 in Marietta will hold a Surf and Turf dinner, followed by live entertainment and dancing. Their counterparts at American Legion Post 64 in Marietta will have music provided by DRIVEN featuring Jimmy Bauman and a midnight champagne toast and breakfast.
American Legion Post 159 in Williamstown is adding a couple of new features to its traditional celebration - a photo booth and a live radio broadcast from 9 p.m. to midnight.
"So it might be kind of interesting," said David Flowers, a member of the Sons of the American Legion.
Flowers, who usually does the cooking for the New Year's Eve event, said they've drawn anywhere from 80 or 90 to 150 or 200 people, depending on weather and what else is happening.
Another option for area residents is a cruise along the Ohio River on the Valley Gem sternwheeler. In addition to a midnight champagne toast, there will be dinner on the enclosed lower deck, plus music.
