By LEE WARD — The Independent
ASHLAND — The Highlands Museum and Discovery Center has a special New Year’s Eve celebration planned, including a major addition to its Highlands Country Music Heritage Hall.
The museum will be open from 9 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31 to celebrate the new year. In addition, an outfit worn by Hannah Montana during the Disney Channel’s New Year’s Eve Special this year will be on display.
The clothing — a pair of jeans, a gold, sequined top and accessories — was donated to the museum by Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter, Miley, who portrays Hannah Montana/Miley Stewart on the Disney Channel original series of the same name. The show was the No. 1 rated program on basic cable among viewers 6 to 11 years old this spring. The show’s soundtrack made Billboard’s Top 200 last month and the Disney Channel has launched a line of Hannah Montana items, including apparel, home décor, games and electronics.
Debbie Gaines, collections curator/operations manager, said the museum has ordered a special case in which to display the ensemble. Family photos and autographed pictures will be shown with the clothing, Gaines said. The new display will be alongside the display about Billy Ray Cyrus.
Also during the free New Year’s Eve celebration, music will be provided by ETA and Stephen Salyers. A dance is planned and refreshments available. The Discovery Center, featuring “A Tree House of My Own,” will also be open. At midnight, the celebration moves outdoors to Judd Plaza for the traditional New Year’s ball drop.
The event is sponsored by the city of Ashland.
The museum is at 1620 Winchester Ave. For more information, call the museum at (606) 329-8888 or visit the Web site highlandsmuseum.com.
LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.
