MILT THOMAS

The very first New Year’s Eve party held downtown in memory was a huge success, probably more then exceeding everyone’s expectations. The crowd was estimated between 4-5,000, all age groups. Festivities began around 8 p.m. with local amateur acts and Dennis Love as the DJ and sound man on an impromptu stage set up at the east end of Pocahontas Park. Food and beverage was available on the street at 14^th Avenue and 21^st Street as well as at restaurants and pubs in the surrounding area that were packed all evening.

An inflatable projection screen was set up at the Heritage Center’s side entrance around 10 p.m. and began projecting a simulcast of the festivities at Times Square in New York City. A ball made by volunteers out of PVC and more than 2,000 lights was suspended by a City snorkel truck awaiting that magical 12 midnight arrival of 2016. Around 11 p.m. the music and dancing started. Emcee Carl Fetzer  stoked enthusiasm with a countdown that he said “Will be the more accurate countdown, preceding the Times Square ball drop by 17 seconds.” Everyone joined in the countdown and at midnight, most of the crowd stood, hugged, kissed, danced their way into the New Year, all to a spectacular fireworks display, the first ever in downtown.

All this proceeded while a wedding reception was going on inside the Heritage Center, says Heritage Center Executive Director, Suzy Feeney. “Many of the 100 wedding guests spent time outside with the rest of the crowd.”

Even more amazing than the fireworks and huge crowd was the fact this entire event was put together in 34 days. According to Feeney, “It began when the Press Journal’s Larry Reisman came to me and suggested the idea. Then I began contacting potential sponsors, vendors and volunteers. With extraordinary help from the City and our co-organizers, the Cultural Council and Main Street, it became a reality.”

The entire event was paid for with money and services provided privately. Feeney adds, “Airport Manager Eric Menger had our new carrier, Elite Airlines, donate free tickets to Newark as door prizes.”

The logistics of a major event were handled relatively trouble free by the 75-100 volunteers who put it all together. “The only potential problem occurred when the park’s sprinkler system turned on during the event,” says Feeney. “Fortunately, it waters the shrubs first so few people noticed and we were able to locate the pump and timer before the lawn sprinklers turned on. If they had, people probably would have thought that was part of the celebration!”

As a joint effort of Heritage, Inc., the Cultural Council and Main Street Vero Beach, Feeney considers it a gift to the community. The event will probably end up breaking even this first time. Feeney says, “We will have a lot more time for next year’s party and hopefully more sponsors will come forward to cover our costs, but after this success, there will certainly be a next year and probably many years thereafter.”