If you are wondering where in the country is a good place to ring in the New Year with your children, look no further than Greater Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, Florida. There are many timeshare rentals available throughout this entire area, and many family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations, too.
For starters, take the kids to Tampa’s Lowery Park Zoo for “Noon Year’s Eve.” This daytime celebration is hosted by the Zoo and Radio Disney AM 1380. The party begins Friday (New Year’s Eve) morning when the Zoo opens. Games, arts and crafts, live entertainment, educational displays, and more, will keep the kids entertained. Then families can ring in the New Year with noisemakers, hats and a juice toast as they watch a giant cookie clock strike 12 p.m. noon!
“First Night St. Pete” celebrates its 17th annual New Year’s Eve celebration of the arts. Started in 1993, the intent of this event is to provide an opportunity to celebrate the many performing and visual arts, both individuals and organizations, in the St. Petersburg community. Alcohol-free family-oriented festivities include music stages, entertainment, drama, dance, games, art, fireworks, and plenty of food in 35 different venues around town.
Busch Gardens is celebrating the New Year with an exciting celebration on Adventure Island. The Guess Who will be in concert and there will be fabulous fireworks at midnight. Promoters point out that you can give 2011 the ultimate “wild” welcome with coasters in the dark, including SheiKra — America’s only dive coaster.
All kids love a parade, and for a fun New Year’s Eve parade, head to Seventh Avenue in Tampa at 5pm on Friday. The United Healthcare Children’s Foundation’s New Year’s Eve Parade will feature 20 floats and a pep rally by the University of Florida and Penn State marching bands and cheerleaders.
Come watch the Tampa Attractions Association celebrate New Year’s Eve in style with the annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Channelside at midnight. The event will consist of a dramatic fireworks display choreographed to music and launched off a barge in the Garrison Channel.
(Photo credit – loweryparkzoo.com)