SAN ANTONIO – Thousands of people rang in the new year downtown at one of San Antonio’s largest parties.
It's estimated that 250,000 people were downtown and about 100,000 attended Celebrate San Antonio.
“Just to enjoy the facility and meet people and just enjoy the happy new year” is what Sovia Lauriano said she experienced at Celebrate San Antonio. She said it was her first time attending.
A mix of locals and visitors packed downtown streets while eagerly awaiting to start the new year.
“I just come to celebrate a new year. I decided to do something different this year, so that's why I’m here,” said Rocio Montes, who was visiting from Oklahoma.
Many people said their resolution for 2017 was to lose weight.
"Lose my pregnancy weight. We actually had our daughter,” Esther Vasquez said. “Yeah, our daughter was born, and we're, like, ready to start off 2017 right," Michael Vasquez said.
Food, music, a photo booth, entertainment and even some furry friends were part of this year’s festivities.
Celebrate San Antonio is in its 19th year, and organizers made sure people were able to get home safely after it was all over.
"Find anyone that works in the Parks Foundation, find any police officer, they can point you in the right direction. We partnered with Uber this year. We want you to party, but do it safely, and that's what it's all about,” said Noah Almanza, CEO of the San Antonio Parks Foundation.
The fireworks extravaganza is the largest free show in the state. It was visible as long as you could see the Tower of the Americas.