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A Sky Full Of Fireworks, 70,000 Partiers And No Scooters: Hemisfair Ready To Ring In 2020

More than 70,000 revelers are expected under the Tower of the Americas for the city’s official New Year’s Eve celebration on Tuesday night.

Ten of thousands more people will crowd nearby downtown sidewalks and balconies to watch the show.

Fans from the Alamo Bowl game between Texas and Utah at the Alamodome are also expected to be in the large crowds.

The San Antonio Parks Foundation President and CEO Mary Jane Verette said Celebrate SA! Downtown features live music by the group Melange and a midnight fireworks show.

“The fireworks show will be fifteen minutes,” she explained. “There will be a communal countdown at midnight with the mayor leading that countdown,” she said.

Verette describes Melange as a high energy ten-piece band that will perform for 200 straight minutes in Hemisfair.

VIA is not offering Park & Ride services directly to the event, but Verette said there is another way to get to and from the celebration safely.

“There’s also ride sharing, which of course we recommend, and the ride sharing drop off for the Celebrate San Antonio event will be located as Cesar Chavez and Alamo Street,” she said.

Credit Courtesy San Antonio Parks Foundation

Other attractions include a DJ area with music for those 21 and up, food trucks, beverage booths, and arts and crafts.

The party to welcome 2020 is free and runs from six p.m.until midnight.

Spectators are expected to fill Alamo Street, La Villita and Hemisfair between Market and Cesar Chavez streets.

Verette said the area along Alamo Street and La Villita Street includes family friendly attractions, like carnival rides. The first 5,000 visitors receive free illuminated bracelets.

Proceeds from the event will benefit local parks.

The foundation reports outside food and drinks will not be allowed in the celebration area, but beer will be sold on-site.

Backpacks are subject to search, so clear backpacks are suggested. Tickets will be sold for the carnival rides and games, organizers said.

Scooters will not be permitted inside the celebration area but can be parked nearby at the barricades at Market and Cesar Chavez streets, according to a news release.

Brian Kirkpatrick can be reached at Brian@TPR.org and on Twitter at @TPRBrian.