New Year’s Eve is always somewhat bittersweet, a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future while sitting on the precipice of what was and what can be. And what a year 2016 was, with births and deaths, political turmoil and activism, environmental atrocities and triumphs; each a reminder that no matter what life throws our way, humanity is resilient.
Last Saturday night Vero Beach revelers donned party hats and fancy outfits to say goodbye to 2016 in grand style. Telisa Hamilton summed up the evening with a positive outlook for the New Year, saying, “It’s a fresh start with endless possibilities.”
And the evening’s possibilities were endless as well, from intimate gatherings to street parties and from fine dining to poolside dancing. Sky lanterns holding wishes for the New Year wafted up from private parties where s’mores roasted over open fires, and silverware clinked as diners took advantage of exceptional dining opportunities at local restaurants.
The evening got an early start in the Historic Downtown district during the second annual Downtown New Year’s Eve Celebration. Little ones enjoyed their own special party as families spread out blankets on the lawn of the Heritage Center to watch an outdoor viewing of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” before standing wide-eyed as their own special ball dropped at what local radio personality Hamp Elliot deemed “New Year’s Eve and a half.”
With the help of Charter High School students, the downtown area was transformed into a 1920s Speakeasy, featuring music on two stages and live Instagram posts of the evening on big-screen televisions. The block party also celebrated the announcement of another revitalization project for the old Theatre Plaza on 14th Avenue organized by The Hub @ Theatre Plaza.
Attendees lit up the night with color, having purchased RF LED wristbands whose lights flashed to the beat of the music, and at the end of the evening one lucky wearer would start the year off $2,500 richer.
Ted Truslow and Todd Darress outdid themselves again this year with their design of a ball with 2,000 lights to ring in the New Year with a Vero Beach ball drop and fireworks.
Over on the barrier island, the crisp, winter night was perfect for those heading from one party spot to another along Ocean Drive, where live bands played an eclectic mix of music ranging from current hits to old favorites.
A raucous crowd spilled out onto the street as revelers enjoyed the band at Grind + Grape. Guests at Costa d’Este mingled poolside and enjoyed a roaring fire, while at the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa they danced under the stars where the sand meets the sea. And down by the river, DJs kept the party going at the Riverside Cafe.
The last hurrah of the year sets the tone for what’s to come, with partiers singing “Auld Lang Syne” surrounded by new friends and old, holding the joys and tragedies of a year gone by close to their hearts. There were even millions of followers watching anxiously as two South Florida eaglets made their way into the world, serving as a reminder that with the start of the New Year, we can begin anew.
No matter how you celebrated the end of 2016, kisses at the stroke of midnight promised a bigger and better 2017.
And those who weren’t quite ready to get out of bed but still wanted to say goodbye to 2016 headed over to the Blue Star’s annual New Year’s Day Pajama Brunch, toasting the year with Bellinis, Bloody Marys and mimosas.
