07:36 PM CST on Thursday, December 29, 2005

By Chau Nguyen / 11 News

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The Hyatt Hotel isn't the only downtown venue where folks can usher in 2006.

Houstonians will literally be rising to the occasion this New Year.

Finishing touches are going on what city officials promise will be a "star-studded" New Year's Eve.

It is a 9-foot by 9-foot star that will rise and shine in downtown's Main Event district.

KHOU-TV

Artist's sketch of Houston's "rising star" on New Year's Eve.

"And it will continue to rise until it reaches its ultimate position at midnight on December 31 and January 1, 2006," said John Sotos of the Entertainment District.

City officials had sketches of what it would look like at midnight this New Year's Eve.

In addition to the star, which will be raised by cables, the Binz building wall will also play a slide show with significant events from Houston in 2005.

"We're gonna have a scrapbook of Houston, Texas, so you're gonna see Katrina stuff, Rita stuff, the World Series, you name it," said Sotos.

Bars and restaurants are getting ready for New Year's night. At the Opus Club, managers are stocking up on liquor orders.

"We've pretty much doubled and tripled most of our orders in champagne and party favors," said Chad Landrum, manager.

City officials hope to someday rival the New York City ball drop, but for this year at least, the symbol stays small, and if all goes well, rises to the occasion without a hitch.

"A ball drop, it's been done. A peach pit, it's been done. We want something special. No one has a rising star except us," Sotos said.

The star will rise at midnight Saturday, and 15,000 people are expected to see it along Main Street.

The streets will be closed off for the event and security will be in place.