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Big Orange, Fireworks Greet 2009 In South Florida

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Jan 1, 2009 2:00 am US/Eastern

Big Orange, Fireworks Greet 2009 In South Florida

MIAMI (CBS4) ― The Big Orange still rose to the top of Miami's skyline Wednesday to mark the last seconds of 2008 and the first moment of 2009, bit despite near-perfect weather and an outstanding New Years fireworks show, people seemed to be avoiding the traditional New Years party at Miami's Bayfront Park.

As the last hours of 2008 ticked away, vendors set up along the pathways of Miami's signature park were wondering who would come out to celebrate. Crowds appeared noticeably lighter than in years past.

Organizers had been expecting about 100 thousand people to see the Big Orange and the fireworks, and while crowd estimates were not immediately available, people who have attended in years past said the largest public New Years celebration in South Florida was much smaller than in the past.

Some vendors blamed a poor economy, but unlike some of the big glamorous celebrations on South beach, the Bayfront celebration was free.

Those who did attend took part in a Miami tradition. Throughout the evening, Big Orange climbed slowly up the side of the Intercontinental Hotel on Biscayne Bay, a laser light show counting down the final seconds as the orange reached the top to mark 2009.

The Orange then gazed down on a 20 minute fireworks display over the bay.

In Fort Lauderdale, city officials staged a kid-friendly version of New Years Eve that concentrated on family events like face painting and hula hoop contests. As in Miami, organizers were expecting about 100 thousand people to take part but there were no crowd estimates immediately available.

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