Get Ready for the Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown
Downtown Fort Lauderdale is Ready to Rock 'n' Roll this New Year’s Eve
The City of Fort Lauderdale is gearing up for the Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown, the annual premier New Year’s Eve celebration. Touted as one of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in Florida, this year’s free 11-hour street festival is full of fun and excitement for both children and adults. An estimated 100,000 revelers will crowd downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, December 31 from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. along S.W. 2nd Street between S.W. 2nd and S.W. 5th Avenues to wait with anticipation for the lighted ball to drop at midnight.
The spectacular celebration will feature a variety of activities for the whole family from 4 to 8 p.m. including bounce houses/inflatables, face painting and games, contests and line dancing with the DJ, as well as an early ball lighting countdown at 7 p.m. There will also be a special guest appearance by Obie, the Orange Bowl Mascot between 6 to 8 p.m., so make sure you have your cameras ready.
The Big City Dogs kick off the live music at 7:45 p.m. on the main stage located at S.W. 2nd Street and S.W. 5th Avenue. Known for their classic rock genre, revelers don’t want to miss music by the likes of the Allman Brothers, Moody Blues, BB King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and the Blues Brothers – just to name a few.
Just when you thought you’ve danced until you drop, Groove Line, one of South Florida’s premier party bands, picks up where Big City Dogs left off. Groove Line is one of the top dance and party bands in South Florida with a mix of songs from the 50’s to today’s top 40. Groove Line will continue to rock the crowd until the ball drops and the fireworks shine at midnight!
On the east stage located at S.W. 2nd Street and S.W. 2nd Avenue, partygoers can jam to Tuxedo Jesus, a cover rock band, beginning at 7:45 p.m.
Revelers should make their way to the main stage by 11:45 p.m. for the midnight ball drop - it will be elbow room only! City officials will count out 2011 and usher in 2012 as the Downtown Countdown ball drops. At midnight, a five-minute pyrotechnic display will brilliantly illuminate the sky above Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Bursts of custom-mixed colors light up the night sky as confetti descends on partygoers. And the band plays on . . .
The City of Fort Lauderdale reminds everyone to celebrate responsibly. Two taxi stands will be available at the City of Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown:
East: S.W. 1st Avenue just north of S.W. 2nd Street
West: S.W. 2nd Street and S.W. 5th Avenue in front of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
The City of Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown is sponsored by AT&T, AutoNation, CH2M Hill, Coast 97.3, Corona Light, Downtown Development Authority, Easy 93.1, FPL, Huizenga Holdings, Nova Southeastern University, Professional Concessions, Inc., Sunshine State Health Plan, Tarpon Bend, and Yellow Cab.
For more information, please call (954) 828-5363.
Traffic Advisory
The boundaries for the City of Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown are West Broward Boulevard on the north, New River on the south, S.W. 7th Avenue on the west, and S.E. 3rd Avenue on the east. S.W. 3rd Avenue from Broward Boulevard to the New River will remain open for vehicular traffic. S.W. 2nd Street will be closed to vehicular traffic.
Additional road closures are as follows:
S.W. 5th Avenue and Broward Boulevard (south side)
S.W. 4th Avenue and Broward Boulevard (south side)
S.W. 3rd Avenue and Broward Boulevard (south side) to remain open until parking lots are full and then closed by FLPD
S.W. 2nd Street and S.W. 1st Avenue
S.W. 2nd Street and S. Andrews Ave
Sun Trolley
Sun Trolley will have extended hours along their Las Olas/Beach route for New Year's Eve. Service will start as usual at 9:00 AM and will continue until 1:00 AM Sunday, January 1.
The drop-off/pick-up location for Downtown Countdown and the Himmarshee area will be at the corner of SW 2nd Street and SW 1 Avenue (aka Brickell).
