This was our second year celebrating NYE in Baltimore. This time we bought tickets for the fundraiser USS Constellation Deck Party! At 8 pm people were starting to stream into the inner harbor area though there were times it seemed like the police outnumbered the public because they were roving in droves around downtown. We didn't eat dinner earlier and the party wasn't until 10 pm so we pre-gamed at the Shake Shack for about an hour. It was quite breezy while we went for a walk around the harbor to see the other historic ships, which were decorated with lights. The USCGC Taney was imposing, as ever. Back at the inner harbor people were having a grand time skating at the temporary rink or listening to the evening's entertainment. We watched the two fireworks-laden barges quietly slip through the dark to their respective positions. The Constellation's cannon fire at ten signaled when it was time to board.
We were met with tables laden with all sorts of revelry equipment. I selected a hat and Hans wore a feather headband and we each pocketed several noisemakers. Up until midnight the catering company that donated food and drinks for the evening served all kinds of finger food. As a couple of servers came by with hors d'oeuvres we joked that we could get used to standing around on a ship while people brought us food.
Belowdecks there was a heated level with tables and chairs and other food stations. The other lower decks were also open for exploration. Overall it was a chill party atmosphere with easygoing adults and excited kids. The cannons fired each hour, finishing with the midnight countdown. The DJ tried his best to encourage dancing but when The Wobble was played only a handful of people knew what to do. Hans was bemused while I mostly danced with myself. Slightly more people had their act together when Cupid Shuffle was played after the fireworks.
Taney and cover band of the night
On New Year's Day we had a very hipster brunch at a very hipster part of Baltimore (Fell's Point) though I was excited when we walked by a stand where somebody was selling freshly-shucked oysters for $1 each. It was a warm and bright Sunday and the cats had fun harassing a squirrel.
Tortured dolls that were part of a holiday "tree" decoration
Here's to a happy 2017!