Ringing out the millenium in Dallas?

Okay, I know the millenium doesn't technically end until January 1, 2001 ... but let's not quibble. There are going to be some serious celebrations as the calendar turns from 1999 to 2000, and there's no better place to sample a variety of celebratory styles than Dallas ... the Texas Star!

The main focus for millenial Dallas will be downtown, where 45,000 free tickets for Dallas 2000: The Downtown Celebration were snapped up in four days. Revelers will enjoy a city-wide celebration commemorating the renaissance of downtown Dallas, highlighted by the re-lighting of Pegasus, the bright red horse that flies above the Dallas skyline. Though the event is sold out, you can still participate via live webcast.

A more traditional family event is the Cotton Bowl New Year's Eve Parade, beginning at 2:30 P.M. "Celebrate the Century" while watching bands, floats, specialty units and the world famous Kilgore Rangerettes as they participate in this annual Dallas event.

The parade, of course, is a precursor to the major college footbal tradition that is the 64th annual Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl. The first bowl game of the new year pits the Texas Longhorns against the Arkansas Razorbacks in a spirited matchup of two nationally-ranked teams.

Those who truly love sports can also close out 1999 by taking in professional hockey at Reunion Arena, as Eddie Belfour, Mike Modano and the Stanley Cup champion Dallas Stars face off with Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne and the high-flying Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Faceoff is at 7:30, so there's plenty of time to see the end of the game and still get to whatever party you want.

And there are literally hundreds of scheduled events in Dallas for New Year's Eve and Day, including dozens of special Hotel Packages associated either with New Year's Eve parties or with the Cotton Bowl.

Or if you're in the mood for theatre on New Year's consider taking in one of the classic popcorn-tossing comedy-spoofs at The Pocket Sandwich Theatre. Their "Millenium Melodrama" scheduled for New Year's Eve is called, appropriately for Y2K buffs, "The Return of Beelzebub, or, Armageddon Outa Here." The end of the world has been scheduled, and the devil is planning to make a comeback. Call (214) 821-1860 for reservations.

For the more musically inclined, The Grapevine Opry hosts "New Year's Country Eve," a country-style New Year's celebration complete with a casino and featuring Nathan Belt, Lacee Blanke, Teather Sonnet, Sweetwater and others. Or you can see The Gatlin Brothers in their first Texas concert since 1993 and a laser light display at midnight at the Lone Star Millenium in Mesquite. Or you might try the ambitiously-named "Last Great Party of the Millennium" at Club Clearview, a four-in-one complex in Deep Ellum. For the more classically-inclined, TITAS (the Texas International Theatrical Arts Society) presents the opera Ravenshead with the Paul Drescher Ensemble at McFarlin Auditorium on the campus of Southern Methodist University.

And what to do with the kids while out celebrating the new millenium? Never fear, The Science Place & TI Founders IMAX Theater in Fair Park has the perfect answer for you with the annual "New Year's Eve Camp-In." Children ages 6-11 spend the night and welcome in the New Year; attendees will be the first in Dallas to see the premiere of Walt Disney's Fantasia / 2000. Registration is required, and there is a fee, so be sure to call (214) 428-5555 for more information.

If you don't feel like sitting around watching college football all day after you're done issuing in the New Year on January 1, there are plenty of opportunities to get "out there" and break in that "I will exercise more resolution." Start the year running -- literally -- with the New Millenium's Day Run at Flagpole Hill, a five-mile run at White Rock Lake. Or opt for a more leisurely pace, and try the New Year's Day Walk at the Dallas Nature Center, a trail walk with guide Jim Varnum. If you're just looking to blow off some steam and have some fun, Six Flags Over Texas offers "Holiday in the Park," including holiday shows, choir performances and a snow hill for sledding.

By January 2, all will be back to normal in Dallas as the focus shifts back to the Cowboys' Sunday clash with their old rival the New York Giants with a playoff berth on the line. What better way to start the New Year?

Next: Now that 2000 is here, let's start thinking about ... 2012?