NYE preparations close to an end in Broward, Miami-Dade counties; South Florida ready to party

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – New Year’s Eve preparations are drawing closer to an end as South Floridians are ready to celebrate the end of another 12-month cycle.

Crews were hard at work Friday ahead of Fort Lauderdale’s Downtown Countdown, one of the biggest free events in Broward County that will help people say goodbye to 2022.

“Fort Lauderdale is the yachting and boating capital of the world. For that reason, our symbol is the anchor,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. “It’s going to be an exciting night.”

People can watch the anchor drop near Southwest Second Street and Southwest Fifth Avenue where the party starts at 4:30 p.m., Saturday.

The iconic anchor is decked out with nearly 12,000 LED lights and weighs more than 400 pounds.

“The anchor represents the fact that Fort Lauderdale is the yachting and boating capital of the world, and for that reason, our symbol is the anchor,” said Trantalis.

Friday night, Southwest Second Street was already blocked off near the anchor ahead of the massive block party.

Attendees should expect music, food, and fun for the whole family.

“Starting at 4:30, we’ll have bounce houses, pony rides, and face painting,” said Trantalis.

Passer-by Tracy Carter said she plans to attend Saturday’s celebration.

“Oh, it’s a fun energy down here,” she said. “It’s all crowded, there’s a lot of people, and everybody comes down to celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one.”

Along Las Olas, businesses prepped for the big crowds New Year’s Eve is destined to bring out.

“New Year’s Eve, we are the place to be down here in Las Olas,” said Emily Dall, director of operations for PDKN Restaurant Group. “Then you can come upstairs to this great nightclub, $20.23, 9 o’clock till the clock strikes midnight we’ve got a big party up here.”

At 6 p.m., Saturday, The Wharf Fort Lauderdale is also throwing a party.

People who spoke to 7News said they’re ready to leave some things behind.

“The cold front, those two days of cold front in Florida, leave that behind, too,” said Ye McKeown.

Some said they’re already manifesting new goals.

“That I have more family time and family vacations,” said Carter.

Others revealed even more ambitious agendas.

“I’m gonna beg Mommy to let me stay until midnight,” said a girl.

Meanwhile, in Miami-Dade County, several areas organized their own preparations for the upcoming jollification.

In Biscayne Bay, the construction for the parties is almost done as well.

On Thursday, work crews continued setting up the concert stage at Bayfront Park for their free New Year’s Eve bash, performing a sound check and testing out equipment.

“This is the marquee event for New Year’s Eve, not only in the city of Miami but probably all of South Florida,” said City of Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales. “We’re incredibly conscious of the need to have a very solid plan so, it is an all-hands approach.”

Organizers said revelers will be able to enjoy music from 24 performers, fireworks and a digital Big Orange.

“This is the premier New Year’s Eve event in the United States,” said City of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo.

“Nobody can compare to this,” said Monty Trainer, chairman of the Greater Miami Host Committee. “This is for the people of Dade County, and they certainly deserve it.”

The event is expected to bring in nearly 100,000 people.

“Tomorrow night, we’re having the biggest New Year’s Eve party anywhere in the country,” said Carollo.

Among those expected to take the stage Saturday night is a special guest from South Africa, Nomcebo Zikode, who is set to end the night.

“I’ll be singing your favorite song, ‘Jerusalema,’” she said. “Many people, they didn’t believe that I will make it because I’m from a village, you know? And here I am today in America.”

This is Zikode’s second time in Miami. She said she’s thankful for all the South Florida love.

“People, they’ll be dancing to the song that I wrote, so it really means a lot to me,” she said.

The festivities at Bayfront Park are set to start at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, in South Beach, Ocean Drive was barricaded to block off traffic for its very own 2023 New Year’s Eve celebration.

No matter where you are, you will be able to find a celebration throughout Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

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