While much of Pike County will be dark and quiet when the New Year is ushered in at midnight tonight, cheers will erupt in the county’s downtowns. Auld Lang Syne will be sung and toasts will made and another year will begin.

Sips on the Square will host its 2nd Annual Black and White Affair on the Square in downtown Troy beginning at 8 p.m.

Lyndsay Taylor, owner of Sips along with her husband, Jamie Taylor, said the Black and White Affair on the Square will feature low lighting, candles, dressy attire and great company.

“The doors of Sips will open at eight o’clock with hors d’oeuvres paired with wines and beer starting at 9 p.m., Taylor said. “We will have a different variety of hors d’oeuvres paired with wine and beer each hour on the hours, 9 o’clock, 10 o’clock and 11 o’clock. At midnight, we’ll have champagne with fresh fruit and a chocolate fountain.”

Breakfast will be served shortly after midnight and will include breakfast pizzas, shrimp and grits and beignets.

Taylor said the Black and White Attire on the Square will have all the fun and flair or a New Year’s Eve celebration.

“James Mullis will provide live musical entertainment and the hors d’oeuvres will be a different variety, from Havarti cheeses to bacon wrapped stuffed jalapenos to a bruschetta bar,” Taylor said. “It’s going to be a wonderful experience again this year.”

Space is limited so reservations are required.

Chris Rich, co-director of studio 116 on South Main Street in Brundidge, thought it was important for the town he calls home to celebrate the coming of the New Year in some fashion. So three years ago, he fashioned a peanut out of foam and mirrors and readied it to be dropped at the stroke of midnight December 31, 2012.

“Peanuts have long been a staple in the local economy,” Rich said. “And, Brundidge has a history in the peanut butter industry and hosts the annual Peanut Butter Festival, so a peanut drop would have great significance for the town.”

The first year, the townfolks kind of snickered at the thought of the Peanut Drop but came out of curiosity. The next year, the snickering turned to pride at the thought of a small rural town in South Alabama having a meaningful ball drop to celebrate the coming of the New Year. The crowd was much larger and more enthusiastic and there was even some dancing in the street. This year, an even larger crowd is anticipated to bid adieu to Old Father Time and welcome Baby New Year.

Studio 116’s celebration will actually get underway at 7:30 p.m. with Brent Holmes, a Nashville based singer, songwriter and humorist in concert. Following the concert, everyone is invited to the Disco Peanut Dance Party. There is no admission charge, however, donations to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital will be appreciated.

The Double Branch in Troy will also be ringing in the New Year with live entertainment by country music star, Shane Owens.

“Shane is from Geneva and he is making a name for himself in country music,” said Nathan Sneed, Double Branch owner. “He has a couple of hits and his latest, ‘Homemade Mexico’ is really taking off. At midnight, we’ll have a New York-style countdown to the New Year and then we’ll have Champaign, confetti poppers and party food.”

Dirty Pearl Oyster Pub and Grill owner Beverly Ivey said the Dirty Pearl will also have live entertainment with Champaign and party favors to celebrate the New Year.

“Our entertainment will be Dogg Karaoke, a two stick guitar and open mic,’ Ivey said. “We’ll open at 6 p.m. and there will be no cover charge. We just invite everyone to come and celebrate the coming of the New Year.”