Downtown continues to prepare for Moon Pie celebration

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Only seven hours remain in 2012, and Dec. 31, the Port City will ring in 2013 with a huge party.

The Moon Pie drop is expected to be bigger and better than ever.

It may be a holiday, but the City of Mobile is working well into the 'nightshift' with an 'easy'-going Commodores performance that will be 'too hot to trot' away from!

"It's New Year's Eve in Mobile, Alabama!” said City spokesperson Barbara Drummond.

And while the Moonpie is hoisted high, thousands are expected to watch it descend below, and viewers will be too, in 23 cities across America.

Drummond said, "People will know Moonpie over Mobile and that it all happened in Mobile, Alabama."

There'll be a Mardi Gras parade, concerts on three stages, a laser light show, fireworks and a cue from New York's celebrations.

"We're gonna take a little hint from New York. At the stroke of midnight, we will actually have confetti coming down,” said Drummond.

It's a Mobile tradition that's getting bigger every year. City officials say it’s a can’t miss event.

And while you’re down there, three big Mobile attractions that will be open for free as well: The Museum of Mobile, the Gulf Coast Exploreum, and the Mobile Carnival Museum.

The Gulf Coast Exploreum will be open free until 10 p.m, where you can explore the attractions on the first floor, like the MyBodyworks exhibit, where you can take in a fun, hands-on lesson on anatomy.

There are lots of free interactive exhibits to get involved with.

The Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Exploreum, Gretchen Jaspering said, "We don't get to be free to the public very often, so here's your opportunity to see what we have to offer."

Just a walk around the corner, the Museum of Mobile will be open for free where you can learn about the history of Mobile or learn about American history through comic books in the Up, Up and Away exhibit.

Curator of History Scotty Kirkland said, "Comic books are a mirror on modern American history. So you can really see the way Americans have changed over time, the way they see themselves in a larger world represented through comic books."

And after taking in the sights and sounds of the New Year's Eve Mardi Gras parade, why not go over to the Mobile Carnival Museum where you can learn all about it!

This New Year's, you can go out, have a great time, and learn a little too.