MIAMI (WSVN) - Revelers of all ages flocked to various New Year’s Eve celebrations across South Florida, including massive events in downtown Miami and downtown Fort Lauderdale, as they partied their way into 2023.
People who spoke to 7News on Saturday echoed a shared sentiment.
“Hoping for, it could be a good year,” said 8-year-old Amelia Cardenas.
“Hopefully that we stay safe and continue to travel safely without any problems,” said a reveler in Fort Lauderdale.
Then there are New Year’s resolutions.
“If you make any kind of resolution, you never really stick to it, so to just improve on what we did last year,” said reveler Mauneen Albertson.
7News cameras captured revelers welcoming the new year with music and dancing at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami.
Saying goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023 at Bayfront Park is something Cardenas and her family look forward to every Dec. 31.
“We love going places with family a lot. That’s why we come every year,” she said.
“The environment is so [family-friendly], and we can enjoy the day, the party, the celebration,” said Analila Rivera, Cardenas’ mother.
Albertson and her daughter Mila traveled to South Florida from South Africa, so this is their first Bayfront Park New Year’s Eve bash.
“It’s specifically child-friendly — the vibe, the food, the music,” she said.
“The music is amazing. It’s something very unique, different, the vibe, I love it,” said Mila Albertson.
7News cameras captured performances from several of the two dozen who took the stage, including musical guests Willy Chirino and Arturo Sandoval.
“There’s multiple Grammy winners and multiple Latin Grammy winners [who will be] on the stage. This is a free event, but it is a full-blown concert,” said an organizer.
The downtown Miami festivities would not be complete without the iconic orange display, this year in digital form.
“That orange, I love when it has the glasses; it’s kind of funny,” said Cardenas.
When asked if she plans to stay up until midnight, Cardenas replied, “Umm, yes, if my mom tells me that I can be allowed to.”
Meanwhile, north of the county line, a big block party took over part of downtown Fort Lauderdale. The city also hosted a kid-friendly countdown.
Several blocks away, the Museum of Discovery and Science held a Noon Year’s Eve bash with their own little dance party.
“So while we’re celebrating everything good about 2022, looking forward to ’23, we’re also showcasing some of the really cool science that we do each and every day here at the museum,” said MODS CEO Joe Cox.
The Fort Lauderdale celebration culminated with an anchor drop at midnight. This anchor is decked out with nearly 12,000 LED lights and weighs around 700 pounds.
As they wait for the clock to strike 12, South Floridians said they’re just looking forward to what’s to come.
“My hope for the new year is that we can do a lot more travel and that it’s easier to get around and to experience different parts of the country, parts of the world and just different cultures,” said reveler in Fort Lauderdale.
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