New Years Bash Meant to Spur Downtown Business

Nashville tourism officials want to make Thursday’s New Year’s Eve celebration downtown an annual event on par with the 4th of July festivities.

The 4th of July fireworks and free concert attracts 100,000 spectators. Convention and Visitors Bureau president Butch Spyridon says downtown businesses get a big boost from that event.

“It’s grown into where downtown hotels are sold out. One of the years we produced, several of the bars ran out of beer. So it drives a lot economic impact, which is ultimately why we do it.”

Spyridon says it’s hard to know how many people will show up for the inaugural “Bash on Broadway.” But he says downtown hotels have reported increased bookings since the New Year’s event was announced.

“Particularly the Hilton, from the day we announced it, they started selling 10 to 15 more rooms a night. That was almost a month ago. The Millennium Maxwell House called and said they were feeling the impact. And the Renaissance started.”

Spyridon says the economic impact won’t be known until after the event.