Hundreds of people packed Main Square Park for the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display to ring in 2016 at midnight Friday in Highland.
“This is a popular tradition we want to keep for the community; it’s a safe, fun time,” said Dawn Wolek, of the Highland Council of Community Events. “It appeals to everyone.”
The event has welcomed the new year in for almost two decades, organizers said.
Jim Douglas, of Munster, and his family learned from their experience last year and arrived earlier Thursday night.
“When we came last year, we stayed in our car to watch, but the view wasn’t that great, ” said grandpa Larry Douglas, as he headed toward the park’s gazebo. “It’s much better out in the open. All you need to do is dress warm.”
Indeed, the dress code – or lack thereof – definitely was holiday casual.
Hammond twins Keri and Kristina Smith were wrapped in a warm wool blanket as they waited to meet up with their parents near the park’s concession building. “This is a great surprise,” Keri Smith said, as she waited in line for a cup of hot chocolate, compliments of the Highland Parks Department. “The temperature may be only in the 20s, but it doesn’t feel too bad out here, and the hot chocolate makes it all good.”
The sisters admitted that underneath their blanket, they were dressed in flannel holiday pajamas. The family’s custom of walking to the park from their aunt’s house on Highway Avenue each year adds to the excitement of the fireworks show, they added.
“After dinner, we socialize and play board games until it’s time to come here,” Kristina Smith said. “We’re not the only ones hoofing it here. “I just met another family that lives a few streets over and they like the fresh air experience, too.”
Parks employees served up the helpings of free hot chocolate at a steady pace.
“We won’t run out, we have many five-gallon buckets,” said Lisa Roberts, as she and fellow employees Katelyn Roberts and Ryan Friegle filled orders at the takeout window.
This year was the first time for Liz and Sergio Garcia of Dyer and their children Tino, 9, and Olivia, 11, to watch the fireworks display.
“This (event) is definitely different, I never thought this many people would come out in the cold just to see fireworks,” Liz Garcia said. “But I was wrong. It’s a party atmosphere.”
Most of those in attendance braved the cold weather dressed in warm coats and boots.
“Hey, I only live down the street, and we have to see the fireworks no matter what,” said Amy Parker, of Highland. “We walked here – a nice change from sitting in the car to watch.”
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Other viewers parked along Ridge Road, Highway Avenue or other nearby parking lots.
“We dressed for the cold air, came with a good attitude, and with good friends,” said Jasmine Jackson, of East Chicago, as she and her children walked to their car after the fireworks. “But it’s time to go home. We’ve made our memories for this year.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.