JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — New Year’s Eve is a celebration that packs local bars around Jacksonville, and of course the Friendship Fountain, to watch the fireworks.
“We’re very excited as a family for the first time to be in downtown Jacksonville to check out the fireworks,” said Mat Pace, a local father of four.
The Pace family is one of hundreds ready to ring in the new year with midnight fireworks downtown.
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Except this year, people are making their way to Friendship Fountain, since the Jacksonville Landing is almost completely gone.
“I mean, it’s sad. I remember it coming together and so it looks kind of scary over there now,” Jen Pace said.
But many say it doesn’t take away from the tradition.
And downtown isn’t the only place where people are packing in for the new year. Bars at Jacksonville Beach were expecting big crowds too.
Fernando Meza, the general manager at The Wreck Tiki Bar & Lounge, explains, “Every bar at the beach will have a line, just about. The places that are charging are already sold out.”
Big crowds gathered in Jacksonville Beach and all over the city, which means a big police presence too.
Jacksonville Beach Police say they’ve upped their patrols in the bar area for New Year’s Eve.
“It helps so much. I mean, we really appreciate all they do because, I mean, the streets will be packed, there will be people everywhere,” said Stephen Chelgren, owner of The Tavern.
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