KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's too bad we all can't have one big ol' party to finally kiss this year goodbye for good.
To be safe, some venues are changing their plans to make it possible for people to enjoy themselves this holiday season.
The New Year's Eve party at Kansas City's Union Station is usually sold out every year, with lots of people dancing and eating all night.
That is not happening this year.
"We didn't know what the ordinances would allow as time progressed," said Michael Tritt, a spokesperson for Union Station. "And as it looked like COVID wasn't going to subside for the holidays, there wasn't going to be a vaccine to help us through, so it became very obvious you couldn't have 1,200 people in a room even this size partying for the night."
Instead of focusing on all it can't do this year, Union Station is extending the holiday season.
Its Holiday Reflections event will run until Jan. 3.
"About 50,000 people have come through to enjoy lots of selfie opportunities and sort of fill their scrapbook for what would otherwise be a pretty unusual holiday season," Tritt said.
Union Station is still hosting its "Noon Year's Eve" geared toward kids at Science City. Families can enjoy a socially distanced dance party and two countdowns, one at 9:30 a.m. and another at 2 p.m.
Many bars and large venues can't have their traditional parties this year, but creativity is still keeping some destinations in the game.
"Aren't we all looking forward to New Year's Eve, even if we can't?" said Jeremy Bennett, director of lifestyle at the Crossroads Hotel. "It's kind of the lifeblood of the hotel; we always have things going on."
Crossroads Hotel has put together a few options. The hotel is opening Lazia Italian restaurant for one night only with a four-course tasting menu. Or, you could opt for a casual pizza and cocktail package or a take-home meal kit that includes a dry-aged ribeye.
The biggest package: a room special that comes with a five-course menu and wine. That package is already sold out for New Year's Eve, but the special is running through January.
"We've heard that people just needed a change of scenery," Bennett said. "Cabin fever is a real thing. We have our kids at home, we're home all day, we're on Zoom calls and I just want to get out of the house."
Their eyes are already on next New Year's Eve.
"We are going to throw the biggest New Year's Eve party you've ever seen next year," Bennett said. "So keep your fingers crossed, stay safe and wear your mask."
