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Cape to celebrate new year with two events

5 min read

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

Break out the champagne bottle, make those resolutions and get set to usher in a new year!

Cape Coral residents and visitors are invited to ring in 2017 on Saturday with a South Cape event, where trolleys shuttle attendees between venues, or with a fireworks ball drop at Cape Harbour.

Sponsored by the Cape Harbour Marina, along with Fathoms Restaurant & Bar, The French Press, Realmark Realty and Realmark Development, the 11th Annual New Year’s Party will take place from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Cape Harbour. The event will feature the ball drop and fireworks, with live music.

Admission and parking are free to the public.

“It’s really a celebration,” Timothy Hoffman, co-owner of Fathoms, said.

“Cape Harbour is just a great setting,” he added.

Approximately 4,000 people turn out for the event every year.

“We simulate the Times Square New Year’s ball drop,” Hoffman said.

The 170-foot ball drop will take place from atop the Marina South condominium complex.

“It hits the bottom just at midnight,” he said.

“The ball lights up with the year on it,” Hoffman added.

When the clock hits 0:00, a fireworks display will light up the sky for several minutes.

He estimated that the display lasts for about 10 minutes.

Soapy Tuna will perform from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the promenade.

“Classic rock ‘n’ roll,” Hoffman said. “Great dancing music.”

Fathoms is taking reservations for a fixed menu for the evening, which will cost $85 per person and includes a complimentary glass of champagne. Reservations are recommended at 239-542-0123.

The French Press will be serving up coffee, teas, crepes, and homemade gelato.

Also, The Marina Club Restaurant will host a New Year’s Eve Party from 8:30 p.m. to midnight, featuring a deejay and music to dance to. Reservations are required by calling 239-541-0800.

Hoffman noted that a taco stand will be set up in the promenade.

“It’s authentic Mexican food,” he said.

During the New Year’s Eve activities, the merchants at Cape Harbour will be open.

“I’m always amazed at the number of people that we can have in such a friendly relaxed atmosphere,” Hoffman said, adding that children attend. “It’s somewhere you can bring the family and enjoy it.”

For more information, visit on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/capeharbour.

Hosted by the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associations, the New Year’s Eve 2017 Trolley Event will take place from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday in the downtown Cape area. Twelve locations are taking part, with ticket-holders treated to $2.50 drink specials and no cover charges.

It is the fourth year that the group has put on a New Year’s event.

“Last year, we had 750 people,” Donna Meola, executive director of the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associations, said. “This year, we’re hoping to sell out at 1,000 (tickets).”

Advance tickets are $10 each, with any leftover tickets available for $15 day of.

“We’ve already sold at least 600 of them,” she said on Wednesday.

There are only 1,000 tickets available.

“My advice would be to get the tickets now,” Meola said.

Each of the locations will offer up a special drink.

“Some of them are themed for New Year’s,” she said.

The following are planned at each venue:

n BackStreets Sports Bar: Espresso White Russian

n Cape Coral Brewing Company: Slim Shandy

n Coconuts Neighborhood Bar & Eatery: NYE Punch

n Cruiser’s Lounge: Hot Cinnamon Cider

n Dixie Roadhouse: Midnight Bliss

n Monkey Bar & Steakhouse: Mokeytini

n Rack’em Billiards: Mozoltov Cocktail

n Ralph’s Place: Bellini

n The Dek Bar: Pink Starburst

n The “World Famous” Cigar Bar: Old Fashioned

n Tiki Hut Bar & Grill: Caramel Appletini

n Two Amigos Mexican-American Cuisine Bar & Grill: Rum Punch

“There’s all kinds of different drinks they’ve come up with,” Meola said.

Each ticket-holder will receive a pair of 2017 light-up eyeglasses, as well as a passport with an opportunity to win the grand prize – a bottle Dom Perignon, champagne flutes and an ice bucket.

“They go to every location and get the passport stamped,” she said.

Attendees do not have to purchase a drink at a venue to receive a stamp. Once they have their entire passport stamped and filled out, they turn it in at any participating location or to a trolley hostess.

“The winners are announced within 10 days of the event,” Meola said.

Trivia games aboard the trolleys provide another shot at taking home goodies.

“There are prizes for answering trivia questions,” she said.

They include $5 gift cards to the locations, as well as T-shirts, keychains and more.

Check-in will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Club Square and Big John’s parking lots. Those who are late – or who want tickets after check-in – can visit the Dixie Roadhouse or Cruiser’s Lounge.

“We have designated driver tickets,” Meola said.

Available for $10, a DD ticket entitles the holder to free water and soda at each venue.

To purchase event tickets in advance, stop by any of the participating locations or visit online at: www.eventbrite.com. The DD tickets are only available from BackStreets Sports Bar.

“Come out for the fun and to meet your neighbors,” she said.

For more information, visit: www.southcapeentertainment.com/ or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociations/.