Christmas tornadoes can't stop NYE under MoonPie - News, Weather, Sports, Toledo, OH

(RNN) - Celebrants rang in 2013 with the "sweetest" celebration in Mobile, AL - the fifth annual MoonPie drop.

MoonPie over Mobile, a three-day celebration ending Jan. 1, is a celebration centered around a favored confection and "throw" of Mardi Gras parade participants.

At midnight, a 360-pound, 12-foot model was dropped from the city's tallest building, the RSA BankTrust Tower, for the fifth year in a row in the original French Louisiana capital.

"[The] Mobile NYE celebration is the premier event in Central Time Zone because no other event in the Southeast can rival the historic character, fun, frolic and the massive attendance coupled with the uniqueness of Mardi Gras," said Barbara Drummond, executive director of administrative services and community affairs for the city of Mobile.

Monday's celebration of MoonPie over Mobile is expected to be the biggest yet - multiple concert stages, a parade and events lead up to the eclipse of the treat for 2012.

The MoonPie was thrown out at the city's first Mardi Gras parade in 1952, and it is intertwined with many New Year's celebrations.

"Mobile's New Year's Eve Celebration featuring the MoonPie over Mobile has become a cultural phenomenon in the entire USA," said Mobile City Councilman Fred Richardson in a press release.

During the MoonPie over Mobile celebrations, partygoers made their way to the Resolution Wall and left the problems of 2012 behind while munching on the world's biggest MoonPie.

"My resolution is just the same as any past years, focus day by day, and be the person who I am," said David Jae Robins on WAFB's Facebook page.

While some folks use the time-honored tradition to make needed changes, others see no reason in using one event to make promises.

"My resolution is to not make any resolutions. I'm hopeless - I won't keep them," said Donna Turner Nash on WAFB's Facebook page.

MoonPie over Mobile began Dec. 29 with a scavenger hunt. Participants got the chance to win entry into the VIP reception on New Year's Eve.

The celebrations Monday started with a Mardi Gras-style parade, complete with MoonPies thrown by the "krewes" of the festive floats.

Also, a black tie gala added to the celebrations, with proceeds going to a homeless women's shelter in Mobile.

Multiple stages of live music also added to the party, with Alabama's own The Commodores headlining the event.

As the MoonPie dropped, a fireworks and laser lights show illuminated the Mobile sky.

The MoonPie over Mobile celebration is not overlooking those affected by the tornadoes. The largest city hit by the Christmas day tornadoes will be asking those celebrating to donate to the Red Cross via text.

Send REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to the cause, according to the MoonPie over Mobile Facebook page.

Those who are unable to attend the festivities in Mobile can view the MoonPie drop online.

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