After a successful first year on Prince George Street, Williamsburg’s PG-500 event on New Year’s Eve is back.
Jumpstarted by the Hound’s Tale and Amber Ox restaurants on Prince George Street, the second annual PG-500 block party will feature two live bands, holiday cocktails and good eats.
Festivities will be in a large heated tent spanning most of the Prince George Street block, where there will be a large craft beer station, wine and champagne.
Inside Amber Ox and the Hound’s Tale, there will be special New Year’s Eve a la carte menus at both restaurants and previously unreleased brews at Amber Ox. Both restaurants will also serve holiday-themed cocktails.
“It’s going to go the better part of the block,” said Andrew Voss, owner of Amber Ox.
Last year, the event attracted nearly 700 people, but Voss said they’re anticipating about 1,000 this year because tickets have been on sale longer.
PG-500 was organized just a couple weeks ahead of New Year’s Eve last year, soon after Amber Ox opened.
The goal of the event was to fill a void left by the cancellation of First Night, a local New Year’s event that had been volunteer-run for 24 years.
Last year, PG-500 received contributions from Chesapeake Bank, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance and the City Manager’s Office for the party’s tent, heaters and portable bathrooms.
This year, Amber Ox and the Hound’s Tale are fronting the cost of the event, with the hope they will receive a $6,000 special event grant from the city’s Economic Development Authority, Voss said. The restaurants have already submitted their application for the funding.
The grant is performance-based, meaning it will be awarded based on event success.
“Our plan is to partner with the city again on this,” Voss said.
General admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate and include access to Amber Ox and the Hound’s Tale, both of which will only be accessible with a ticket that night, Voss said.
Tickets for young children accompanying their parents are $5.
There are also a limited amount of VIP tickets available, which are $75 apiece and include two drink tickets and all-you-can-eat access to VIP food stations at Amber Ox and the Hound’s Tale. The food stations will offer hors d’oeuvres and other chef specials.
Those interested in buying a VIP ticket can check on the ticket availability on the event’s Eventbrite page.
Children are also welcome to come to the event, although those younger than 21 need to be accompanied by a person older than 30.
Voss said there will be “rigorous security” at the event to keep things safe and festive.
