TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) \u2014 Thousands gathered at Cascades Park Wednesday night as Tallahassee rang in 2026 with its annual New Year\u2019s Eve celebration.<\/p>\n
The event featured live music, local food trucks, and a fireworks display.Organizers say events like this help boost the local economy downtown.Watch the video below to learn how much Tallahassee visitors spend on average during the New Year’s holiday.<\/p>\n
Thousands celebrate New Year’s Eve at Tallahassee’s Cascades Park with fireworks and live music<\/p>\n
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:<\/p>\n
Tallahassee celebrated the new year Wednesday night, with thousands turning out for the city\u2019s annual New Year\u2019s Eve event. <\/p>\n
I\u2019m neighborhood reporter Lentheus Chaney at Cascades Park with a look at the celebration and the impact it brought to the capital city.<\/p>\n
Wednesday night\u2019s New Year\u2019s Eve celebration features live music, local food trucks, and fireworks, drawing thousands of people.<\/p>\n
Neighbor Alan Raynor moved to Tallahassee in 1985 after Hurricane Kate.<\/p>\n
He says this is his fourth year attending the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to come here, like to watch the fireworks. I like to go home early, so I can bring in New Year when I get home. And I also like to see the music and see everybody, and I like to see people be happy,\u201d Raynor said.<\/p>\n
City officials expected around 4,000 to gather in Cascades Park Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
For some, this New Year\u2019s Eve celebration is extra special.<\/p>\n
Neighbor Cheryl Meeks came out to celebrate her daughter Kelli\u2019s 17th birthday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s my birthday too. I gave birth to her, right?” Cheryl said. “So I\u2019m older, so I\u2019m not in the house. I get to mingle with people, eat the food, and listen to live entertainment,\u201d Cheryl added.<\/p>\n
Kelli says this birthday comes with a specific New Year\u2019s resolution in mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy resolution is to start preparing for SAT and start looking into colleges to apply for. I am planning to go to Santa Fe College in order to pursue a nuclear medicine technician degree,\u201d Kelli said.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unclear exactly how much money this event generates for the local economy, but data from the Office of Economic Vitality shows each visitor spends an average of $519. <\/p>\n
In downtown Tallahassee, I\u2019m Lentheus Chaney, ABC 27.<\/p>\n
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