Brooklynites and visitors around the city feeling that going to Times Square to usher in the New Year is passe, should subway over to Coney’s Island where it’s iconic Parachute Jump will feature a burst of digital lights to welcome in 2017.
It’s all a part of Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams collective Brooklyn public New Year’s Party held in both Coney Island and Prospect Park for the third year in a row.
“We have built an incredible New Year’s Eve tradition here in our borough, leaving no doubt as to where is the best place on the planet to ring in 2017,” said Adams. “There are two types of people: Those who celebrate the New Year in Brooklyn, and those who wish they could. Make sure to be one of the lucky ones!”
Both Coney Island and Prospect Park will ring in the New Year with celebrations that will include fireworks, live entertainment, and hot chocolate. While Coney Island will countdown to 2017 with the digital “burst” from the Parachute Jump, Prospect Park will feature music from DJ C. Live and the Brooklyn Mash It Up Band at Grand Army Plaza that leads into a bigger-than-ever pyrotechnic display.
Building off of the success of last year’s expanded Coney Island festivities, which were attended by more than 15,000 revelers, Adams announced that the Abe Stark Skating Rink, B&B Carousell, Deno’s Wonder Wheel, and Thunderbolt roller coaster will be open and free of charge starting at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve while the New York Aquarium will have special extended hours of operations until 9 p.m.
Additional Coney Island dining and entertaiment options that will open special for this holiday celebration include Applebee’s, Coney Island Brewery, Coney Island USA, El Dorado Bumper Cars, Nathan’s Famous, Tom’s Restaurant, Wahlburgers, and White Castle. Additional partners on his celebration in Coney Island include Coney Island Lawmakers City Councilman Mark Treyger, State Senator Diane J. Savino and Assembly Member Pamela Harris along with Community Board 13, Luna Park, NYC Parks, and the NYPD.
“Once again, the People’s Playground will play host to what is fast becoming a beloved annual tradition: New Year’s Eve, the Coney Island way!” said Treyger. “Thousands of people will converge on our beloved boardwalk, beneath the peak of the iconic Parachute Jump, to enjoy all of the sights, sounds, tastes, and thrills that Coney Island has to offer. I can’t wait to greet that crowd and join them in welcoming 2017.”
“I’m so excited to celebrate New Year’s Eve amongst family, friends, and community members in Coney Island,” said Harris. “There’s sure to be no better place to welcome in the New Year than among New Yorkers who share the same enthusiasm, traditions and understanding of the importance of this area. I’m thrilled to support this event and hope to see many of you among the fireworks, games and festivities!”
“What better way to ring in the New Year than in one of our most treasured public spaces, Prospect Park!” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “As Prospect Park inches towards its 150th birthday, celebrations like this one offer us an exciting opportunity to honor this special place that serves so many New Yorkers. NYC Parks is grateful for such a wonderful and meaningful tradition, and to our partners who help make it possible, including Borough President Adams and the Prospect Park Alliance.”
“New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Grand Army Plaza are truly a borough-wide celebration, and so it is fitting to host in Prospect Park, ‘Brooklyn’s Backyard’,” said Sue Donoghue, president of the Prospect Park Alliance. “This year has special meaning to us, as it will formally kick off our 150th anniversary celebration of Prospect Park, which first opened to the public in 1867. We welcome revelers to come to the Park to enjoy the gorgeous display, which would not be possible without the support of Borough President Adams, and we thank him.”
More information about both events is available at brooklyn-usa.org as well as nycgo.com.
