The greatest things about this event:
1. Plenty of free parking. I went a bit early and there were only a handful of cars.
2. Pedestrian heaven. They closed off the streets to make it completely walk-friendly. It was great to see folks walking in and out of places. It didn't feel like car-dependent LA, but more like party scene in Tokyo during a festival.
3. Bar hopping. The area is known for having plentiful bars so it was great jumping from one bar to another. The experience is especially enhanced since the streets are closed off, making the hopping part of "bar hopping" particularly enticing. There were plenty of people just walking around and walking in and out of places.
4. Family event. Despite the plentiful bars, there were plenty of rides, games, face-painting, music stages, performances for the whole family. There was even a karaoke stage and taiko performances.
5. Fireworks. Pretty impressive display of fireworks, especially since everyone was standing so close to the launching point. I have never been so close.
6. Late openings of venues. The Fullerton Museum Center was also open late and for free.
7. No admission costs.
Down sides:
1. Lighting was plentiful but if you're walking towards one, you'll be blinded temporarily for about 5 minutes.
2. Bathrooms. Porta potties were ...well, your usual porta potties. The Fullerton Museum Center closed their bathrooms 30 minutes prior to the fireworks stating that it was a fire hazard to leave it open and available during the show. This is something I didn't understand as the free-standing porta potties about 10 meters away were open for business. Later, during the show, one girl actually got hit by a firework casing that didn't go off properly. She was escorted out by a fireman and reports state that smoke was rising out from her. She would have been safer had they let her go into the bathroom and stay there.
I thought about giving the event 4 start, but reduced it to 3 because the reason I had so much fun was because of the bars, which are open regardless of the NYE celebration or not. read more