Family-friendly New Year party planned

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The city of Austin said Wednesday it is allocating $50,000 to help throw a family-friendly New Year's Eve Party.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. at Auditorium Shores and will be alcohol-free, officials said at a City Hall news conference Wednesday morning.

There will be several stages with musical acts beginning with Joe McDermitt on the main stage.

Several films made by local directors will be showing on a big screen.

There will be a fireworks display starting at 10 p.m. after Carolyn Wonderland wraps up her performance.

Officials said to expect street closures around Auditorium Shores in the hours leading up to the event.

Austin Fire Department officials also reiterated that the burn ban within the city limits remains in effect, meaning no private fireworks will be allowed.

Also, Cap Metro and Austin police plan to team up for the first time, and bus service will be free between midnight and 3 a.m. Buses will be available at Congress Avenue and Sixth Street. Buses will run every 30 to 60 minutes.

Free "Night Owl" routes are as follows:

• No. 481
• No. 482
• No. 483
• No. 484
• No. 485
• No. 486

The nonprofit organization Sober Ride , meanwhile, will not be providing service this year. Robbie Barrera of Sober Ride said "new IRS policies for small not-for-profit organizations" regarding the filing of certain paperwork must be met before they can resume operations.

"We will continue to spread the message of planning ahead and designating a driver before going out, and with the support of our community, we hope to have Sober Ride fully operating again in the near future," Barrera said.

AAA also offers holiday services for getting people home safely.

New Year's Eve in San Marcos

Fireworks originally planned for the July 4 Summerfest celebration were canceled due to the extreme drought conditions across the central Texas area. However, organizers of the event were able to reschedule the fireworks show for New Year's Eve.

The fireworks will be staged at the Bobcat Stadium parking lot behind the Texas State Softball/Baseball Complex. The show will begin at 9 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to watch the fireworks from the sports fields located in City Park.