The world probably will not end Friday, but that’s not stopping some people from preparing—or partying.

The Mayan calendar turns over Friday, which also happens to be the first day of winter. Some people believe this will be the start of the end of the world. The date even has its own website and one NASA scientist told CurrentTV there may be 25 million people in the United States who believe the end of the world will happen.

In response, Pork Barrel BBQ on Mount Vernon Avenue is hosting an End of the World Party from 9 p.m. to close on Friday. The event will include a “Last Supper” special available from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $14.95.

The evening will also include games, prizes, party music and a confession box that was the brainchild of co-owner Bill Blackburn.

“If you cheated on a test in third grade, you can finally get it off your chest and confess,” he said.

‘Nothing About End of Days’

“The Maya never forecast the end of the world,” according to Longwood University Prof. Walter Witschey, who teaches anthropology and science. “It appears they were saying a very important king, who was living when the inscription was written, was so important that he would still be worshiped in 13.0.0.0.0. That’s like saying 1,000 years from now, George Washington will still be so important that we’ll celebrate him in the year 3,000. They said nothing about end of days, nothing about 13 being the final cycle, nothing about apocalypse, nothing about astrological predictions of any sort.”

NASA agrees there is nothing to fear in 2012: “The world will not end in 2012. Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012.” Further, NASA officials say there is no expected mass blackout just before Christmas, there are no wayward planets on a collision course with Earth and there are no unusual planetary alignments coming.

“The date 13.0.0.0.0 was just a marking place in their cycle,” Witschey said. “On this date, the Long Count will roll over from cycle 12 to cycle 13, like our calendar rolling over from 1999 to 2000.”

How to Prepare (Just In Case…)

Despite the unlikelihood that the apocalypse will occur this month, some people may be interested in reviewing their emergency plans. 

National Geographic has a useful, informative website and mobile phone app centered around the television series “Doomsday Preparers.” The site features stories of people who have prepared, an interactive survey so you can analyze how long you might survive after a catastrophe, and basic information about water, food, shelter and security.

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