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Tallahassee businesses, families prepare for New Year's Eve amid COVID-19

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — People in Tallahassee will be turning to smaller venues to celebrate since the City of Tallahassee will not host New Year's Eve festivities this year due to the pandemic.

Eve on Adams at the DoubleTree Hotel is sanitizing surfaces and setting up to welcome significantly fewer partygoers this year than last.

"Last year we had I want to say about two to 300 people," said event coordinator Danielle Thomas. "This year we're extremely limited tickets. We're shooting for about 100, that way we can keep people safe and we don't have as many guests in the same area."

Masks are required for all attendees, both those inside watching live entertainment, and those on the 17th-floor balcony who may be able to watch home firework shows from people like Carlene Cherry.

"It's a blessing to be able to be here to shoot fireworks," said Cherry. "It's been a very challenging year and a stressful year and I'm just blessed to be able to take my grandson to get fireworks. So many people that's gone on, so it's a blessing."

No matter how residents plan to celebrate, the Tallahassee Police Department wants to see them do so safely.

"We know a lot of people are wanting to take their celebrations into their own hands this year because we're not having those large gatherings and those large celebrations as we normally would," said Alicia Turner, Public Information Officer for TPD. "And for the people that decide to participate in their personal celebrations at their homes, of course, do it safely and also be mindful of pets and veterans and other people with high anxiety that might be triggered by those loud sounds."

Tallahassee Police also reminds those attending parties to not drink and drive. If you are celebrating the new year at home, also remember it is unlawful to shoot weapons into the air.