Well tonight is the night we’ve all been anticipating: A new year, a new decade, a new century, and many folks think, a new millennium begins tonight.

And fortunately there are a variety of options for folks wishing to celebrate the incoming new year. The celebration begins with the Balloons and Bonfires on the River event at 6:30 p.m.

And after that whets your millennium appetite, you can head over to a variety of special worship services and watch services offered by several area churches.

For those revelers among us, several parties will be going on throughout the Miss-Lou, including the BellSouth Millennium Gala at the City Auditorium.

And promptly at midnight, a fireworks show sponsored by Lady Luck Casino Hotel, Budweiser and United Mississippi Bank will light the sky with a brilliant display.

And many folks may choose to celebrate the arrival of the new year by staying at home and celebrating with family and friends.

Regardless of which option you choose, we urge all of you to use discretion and common sense while celebrating.

If you choose to drink, then don’t get behind the wheel of a car.

Don’t drink and drive – period.

Don’t do it because it’s against the law and because it risks not only your own life, but everyone else’s too.

Call a cab, call a friend or even walk, but please, for all of our sakes, don’t drink and drive. We hope everyone has a safe, happy and fun New Year’s.