Mobile prepares to drop MoonPie

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Cities across the gulf coast are getting ready to usher in the New Year.

Thousands are expected to pack downtown Mobile tomorrow, and thousands more will watch the big moon pie celebration from home.

The giant moon pie is not the only attraction this year at the celebration.

The city is hosting a major fireworks show as well.

“I don't know too many people that don't like fireworks because they're exciting, especially something like this,” said Michael J. Fox, VP of Operations at Pyrotecnico.
 
There are more than a thousand pounds of explosives, at the barge alone.

Michael Fox said each shell has its own digital address, and it's all monitored and activated electronically.

“If 2-0-0  is suppose to fire, the computer goes out and finds this particular module and fires 2-0-0,” Fox said.

He said it will take most of the day to finish and program this setup over the water. But when its done he promises it will put on quite a show.

“ (It's) a choreographed show done by computer. So, you have many different effects. It’s not just shooting a shell, shooting a shell, shooting a shell, you have multiple shells at the same time,” Fox said.

“They'll count down from the stage, Three Dog Night will sing 'Auld Lang Syne.' There'll be a great fireworks display not only off of the top of the building but also over the river so it'll be an amazing event,” said Adam Buck with the City of Mobile.

Cities across the Central time zone will be looking to our Gulf Coast celebration to welcome 2012 with open arms.


Fireworks will be setup on the RSA BankTrust Tower rooftop Saturday morning.

FOX10 plans to carry a live stream of the moon pie drop and fireworks.