(MOBILE, Ala.) It's a sign New Years Eve is just around the corner. The Moon Pie featured in the MoonPie Over Mobile Gala arrived Friday morning. The 80 pound pie will help ring in 2013. It's "full speed ahead" say city officials despite recent tornado damage.
Mobile Mayor Sam Jones says the city is working hard to help victims in Midtown. But luckily downtown, center stage for New Year's Eve celebrations, is ready.
Midtown was hit the hardest and city crews continue to work hard in bringing things back to normal.
"It's an unfortunate fact that in the past two weeks a micro burst and a tornado has destroyed parts of the city. New Year's are about new things renewals so I kind of think why not? It's definitely one of those things where its an unfortunate fact and anybody needs a galvanizing force, if it takes a new year, if it takes a Moon Pie drop for that then I say, more power to them, " said Thomas Watt who works downtown.
The power of the Moon Pie, now as a the new year approaches, a symbol of resilience.
"We know how to build and come back. If we had never had a storm before we would just be all devastated and down and out, " said City Councilman Fred Richardson.
The plans to have a party are definitely on.
"We will start with the Commodores, Wet Willie's, three stages, a Mardi Gras parade," said Richardson.
Downtown was untouched by the tornadoes but the folks, their homes and what they mean to Mobile will not be forgotten.
As part of the New Year's Eve celebration, Mayor Jones is asking those celebrating with the Moon Pie to make a donation to the American Red Cross to help tornado victims.
