The new year started in Magnolia with moderate rainfall, at-home fireworks and minimal celebrations at only a few venues in the city.
Those celebrations at local venues all came to a close an hour before 2020 ended due to a Nov. 19 public health directive from Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
“In an effort to reduce the spread of the virus as a result of prolonged social interaction in group settings, I am accepting the recommendation of the Winter COVID Task Force to require bars, restaurants and clubs that sell alcohol for consumption in their establishment to close at 11 p.m.,” Hutchinson said on Nov. 19.
“This is a balanced approach that is limited and targeted as we work to reduce new COVID cases in our state.”
With the curfew in place, a couple of businesses found the time to ring in the new year while following Hutchinson’s directive.
Live music could be heard coming from Kyle’s Central Hub from across the Square. Jimmy Lewis and Eight Second Ride, a country music band whose lead singer hails from El Dorado, played on stage with a small crowd inside until the business closed at 10 p.m. A bouncer stood in front of the business collecting $10 cover charges until closing time.
Across from the college, Mule Kick hosted a ‘Kickin’ it back to the ’90s’ party to celebrate the new year. It was a ’90s themed party, where guests were asked to dress up in ’90s style clothing as music from the ’90s played from speakers inside the venue.
“We’re going to ring the new year in with Venezuela and Nova Scotia,” Christy Ouie, owner of Mule Kick, said Wednesday, referring to the difference in time zones where locations she mentioned were ringing in the New Year at 10 p.m. Central.
As for the rain, it did very little to stop firework enthusiasts from lighting sparklers, fountains and sending rockets into the sky to commemorate the start of the new year.
Small but bright displays were seen throughout the county until around 1 a.m.