Giant MoonPie over Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. - You know it's New Year's Eve in Mobile, when a 600 pound MoonPie dangles from a crane in downtown. FOX10 News reporter April Douglas gives a look behind the scenes of what it takes to pull off this big event.

The last day of the 2009 means lots of heavy lifting as a banana colored creation pulls into Cooper Riverside Park in downtown Mobile.

The massive MoonPie will rise above the Port City at the stroke of midnight to ring in a new year. Last year the MoonPie was way across the Mobile River, this year it is actually in the park.

Making sure the rising of the MoonPie goes off without a hitch isn't an easy job. Just ask Barry Dicks, with Robert J. Baggett, Inc. A crane company that will raise the MoonPie.

"No, it takes a lot of work to make sure it is perfect," added Dicks. "It will be better than last year."

Timing is critical, and wrangling with any wind is a challenge. Mobile Fire rescue will lend a hand literally to keep the massive MoonPie in place.

While the 600 pound gigantic MoonPie is the main attraction, it's not the only event. Just across the river, crews are hard at work, putting the finishing touches on the fireworks show.

That's a job that takes a four person team two days to pull off.

"We do as a position show, so some things have to be put in a particular spot to fire in a particular order," said Pat White with Pyrotecnico.

The fireworks of all shapes, sizes and colors are loaded onto a barge. The electronic show will be conducted from the middle of the River, run time is about 15 to 19 minutes.

"Just the crowd to yell at the end of the show is what we are here for. We enjoy it," added White.

From fireworks, to the giant MoonPie and live entertainment, the stage has been set for a Happy New Year's Celebration.