|
|
|
| Mon, Nov. 30 - - Mobile - RSS | |
|
|
Four, three, two, one New Year's split personality shines with family fun, music and bars
New Year's Eve had something for everyone in Fredericksburg, from peaceful First Night downtown to rocking bars at Central Park
Date published: 1/1/2006
By MICHAEL ZITZ Wet vs. dry. Family-friendly vs. party hearty. Downtown vs. Uptown. Wild vs. mild. Each New Year's Eve, most of Fredericksburg's attention is focused on First Night, the alcohol-free event that attracts thousands of parents and children downtown. But "Dead Fred" can party on New Year's Eve. Bars were overflowing with revelers, with alcohol flowing freely at Central Park, the hotspot for nightlife in the region. On a typical Saturday night, young men who've had one beer too many have been known to unleash Rebel Yells and overturn trash cans around midnight. Because of First Night, however, New Year's Eve was likely to have been the most peaceful Saturday night downtown in 2005. The streets were filled with smiling young couples clutching the tiny hands of bundled-up toddlers. "Everyone's out with their family and having a good time," Kimberly Herbert, director of First Night Fredericksburg, said as children frolicked and laughed around her. "There's not much trouble at all. Everything is wonderful." Jim Shelhorse, a spokesman for the Fredericksburg Police Department, said New Year's Eve has been virtually trouble-free in Fredericksburg. "I think we've been pretty fortunate," Shelhorse said as he celebrated at The Loft bar downtown. "Traditionally, it's a pretty good night for us--surprisingly so." He said local people have been heeding warnings about drinking and driving, especially on New Year's Eve. "Even with all the events going on, New Year's usually is not a bad thing for us." He said there has never been a problem at First Night except for some teenagers attacking the pear last year after its midnight drop into the street. This year, a new electric pear was to be lit at midnight, rather than being dropped into harm's way. "People say, 'You really must be busy on New Year's Eve,'" Shelhorse said. "But I say, 'Not really.' "There certainly are more people out and certainly a lot later, but we're fortunate."
Date published: 1/1/2006
|
 |
|||
|
|||
