NEW ORLEANS – To ring in the New Year, multi-platinum selling band Imagine Dragons is slated to perform on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018” from the Allstate® Fan Fest in New Orleans, La., where locals and tourists gather each year to celebrate the New Year in advance of the annual Allstate® Sugar Bowl®.
Also taking the stage from New Orleans is chart-topping supergroup WALK THE MOON, who will join the celebration at the 2nd annual Central Time Zone countdown of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018.” Award-winning actress Lucy Hale, best known for her role as Aria Montgomery on the Freeform hit series Pretty Little Liars, returns to host the live celebration from the Crescent City, providing viewers with exclusive celebrity and fan interviews leading up to the midnight countdown and stunning fleur-de-lis drop near Jackson Square at the dawn of the New Year. America’s largest celebration of the year will take place SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 beginning at 8 p.m. EST on the ABC Television Network.
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018” marks the 46th anniversary of America’s largest celebration of the year and will include 5 ½ hours of special performances and reports on New Year’s celebrations from around the globe. Ryan Seacrest will host the primetime festivities and lead the traditional countdown to midnight from Times Square in New York City, as he has for the last 12 years, with live onsite reporting from actress and comedian Jenny McCarthy. Multi-platinum music superstar Ciara will ring in the New Year from the west coast as the new host of the Hollywood Party in Los Angeles. Additional performances to be announced at a later date.
“Each year, Allstate looks forward to bringing unforgettable fan activities and musical performances to the Allstate® Fan Fest ahead of the annual Allstate® Sugar Bowl®, and celebrating not only the game itself, but also the start of a new year,” said Pam Hollander, vice president of marketing for Allstate Insurance Company. “We are thrilled to once again be working with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest to bring this memorable experience to those joining us in New Orleans as well as people tuning in across the country.”
“I’m thrilled to have ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018’ back in New Orleans to ring in the New Year in our great city,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu, New Orleans. “This is the perfect way to kick off our city’s 300th anniversary. Here in New Orleans, we know how to celebrate, and I can’t wait for another opportunity to showcase our rich culture to the rest of the country.”
“We are looking forward to another successful Central Time Zone fleur-de-lis drop in the historic French Quarter, and this year it carries even more importance since New Year’s Eve will mark the beginning of a year-long celebration of New Orleans’ Tricentennial. Travel + Leisure magazine just named New Orleans “America’s Best City for New Year’s Eve.” Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will broadcast just why that is to millions of viewers and we are delighted that the partnership we’ve forged with dick clark productions allows us to reach so many viewers in this way,” said Stephen Perry, President & CEO New Orleans Conventions and Visitors Bureau.
“Like the rest of Louisiana, I am thrilled to have New Year’s Rockin’ Eve back in New Orleans as we kick off the Tricentennial year and celebrations,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “It will be a fun, historical night, and I encourage everyone watching to come celebrate New Orleans’ birthday with us as well as see the rest of Louisiana.”
“We’re pleased with the important roles Allstate and the Sugar Bowl Committee are playing to provide a unique New Year’s Eve event that shines a spotlight on the College Football Playoff as well as on the city and its 300th anniversary celebration,” said Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan. “This is a great chance for fans to enjoy Imagine Dragons and Walk the Moon as they gear up for the Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl the next day.”
