Pleasure Island ushers in New Year with a bang

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Thousands from around the Cape Fear region came together on Pleasure Island to witness the beach ball drop and shuffle their way into 2014.

“I’ve seen the ball drop in New York City, and I’ve seen all kinds of things, but the beach ball is going to be a little different,” Ronnie Parrish said.

With close to 2,000 people coming together to join in for New Year’s Eve in Carolina Beach, the dance floor wasn’t the only place that was rocking.

“It has enhanced the Carolina Beach business district immensely,” said Brenda Armes, the owner of Olde Salty’s Restaurant. “There’s just as many people come down for that as there are all summer long for the fireworks here at Carolina Beach. It’s something that has become a tradition and people are really looking forward to it.”

Another tradition coast to coast on New Year’s Eve is a sip of champagne at the strike of midnight. That tradition had organizer Frances Massey asking party-goers to be smart as they head into the New Year.

“Get home safely,” she said. “There are plenty of cabs down here if you need to call them, but we do want everybody to be especially safe tonight.”