Officials Promote Miami's NYE Event As National Countdown
Miami officials are optimistic about the turn out for Miami's Big Orange New Year Eve countdown celebrations, and they're hoping the event will take the national spotlight.
Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and the Greater Miami Host Committee extended an open invitation to attend a New Year's Eve celebration dubbed, Tropical Floribbean "BIG ORANGE".
"We're looking at the possibility of getting national coverage if it's snowing a lot in Times Square, probably we'll get a glimpse of Miami," said Mayor Regalado.
This year's theme is "Global Wellness," which will be promoted in year-round events.
The Big Orange is a35 feet neon that will ascend to its home above the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Miami, a South Florida tradition for the last 25 yrs. Greater Miami Host Committee Chairman, Monty Trainer said The Big Orange was conceived during the Orange Bowl Parade days.
"We wanted to give the folks a place to go after the Orange Bowl parade and stay downtown to celebrate the New Year," Trainer said.
Branded "The Times Square of the South" for the celebration of the Millennium, "The Big Orange" attracts an audience of some 150,000 locals and visitors who prefer ringing in the New Year with a forecast of a breezy 65 degrees.
"On Friday we'll be here in Guayaberas," added Regalado.
This year Bahamian Consul General, Gladys Johnson-Sands was selected as the "Global Citizen of the Year" for her leadership in bridging Miami's local community to the world.
In addition to being a free event, the mayor assures everyone that the City of Miami is taking extra measures to make sure families feel safe to come downtown.
"We are going to deploy as many officers as possible to keep it nice, quiet," he said.
The celebration will take place in Bayfront Park starting at 8 pm with live musical entertainment throughout the evening. The event will culminate at midnight with the raising of The Big Orange followed by a display of fireworks over beautiful Biscayne Bay.
