PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A few thousand people came to celebrate New Year's Eve at Tradition Square in Port St. Lucie.
Organizers said a normal crowd for their fireworks show to celebrate the new year is about 5,000 people. It's one of many events scheduled to celebrate the first day of 2024.
Della Evans, who came more than four hours early to secure a spot for the fireworks, said she came prepared with hats, gloves, chairs, blankets and food. She said they came early to ensure they celebrated the holiday with other people.
"We came out here to see the show tonight because we're a little on the older side and if we don't come out here now, we will be asleep," Evans said. "So we figured we'd come out here early, get a good spot and lay back."
She also said she found out about the event from a friend, who had family in town from St. Martin.
Chrissy Valvano, who is with the community of Tradition, said they have food and games for children. They also have a DJ and band playing live music at the event.
"[The] best part of events like this is seeing the joy on people's faces and just seeing the fun that people have when they come out and to be a part of their community and get together right in their backyard," Valvano said.
Communities across South Florida and the Treasure Coast were hosting events for the holiday. The Town Center at Boca Raton held a "Noon Year's Eve" in which confetti and a juice box toast happened at noon.
The city of Delray Beach, which has a 100-foot Christmas tree, was hosting a celebration near the amphitheater off Atlantic Avenue with food trucks, a DJ and fireworks. The city of West Palm Beach was hosting a similar celebration at Sandi Tree.
If you missed the culmination of the New Year's Eve celebration, you can rewatch the fireworks show right here in the video player above.