New Year’s Eve day was warm with just enough clouds to add character to the sky

New Year’s Eve this year was rather subdued, when compared to last year.  All the same activities were there, but fewer of each.  Fewer effigies in doorways and on car tops.  Fewer neighborhood competition displays. Fewer firecrackers. Fewer fires. Fewer people roaming the streets.

We have no idea why things were so much smaller this year.  The weather was fine and there hasn’t been any noticeable rain since the Christmas Eve parade.  We haven’t heard of any new restrictions since last year (when gobos and castles were first banned).  We had gone into the evening expecting a full repeat of last year, and felt somewhat let down when all the first display areas we visited were completely empty. We finally did find a couple of major displays, but that was down from a dozen last year.

Some folks put their effigies on their car roofs. Others were still building them.

Masks were sold in many locations, and were worn by adults more often than kids

We only found three major neighborhood theme presentations (and one did not photograph well…)

About 11:30, a truckload of clowns unloaded and joined the crowd

Fireworks were for sale everywhere, but most people seemed content with sparklers

Shish kabob stands provided a quick meal whenever you were hungry

The audience waited the midnight countdown — some more active than others…

At midnight the fires were started, while the audience took photos to remember the moment

Fires were burning everywhere, with new effigies thrown in — sometimes within a couple feet of cars

Jumping over a burning effigy is supposed to bring good luck — unless you get burned of course…

New Year’s Eve gets us to walk a lot, if nothing else (of course, Evelyn’s shorter legs lets her cheat and get more steps!)

Happy 2014 Everyone!