COLUMBIA, S.C. — As the countdown to the New Year begins, and excitement builds, many choose to ring in the new year by lighting fireworks.
The largest event in the Midlands will be by the city of Columbia, which will have a colorful firework display on the south end of the State House grounds right after midnight.
"This is our second annual firework display, so we are excited to bring it back for a second year, and hopefully, we can continue making it an annual celebration," according to Columbia Parks and Recreation Director Randy Davis. "I promise this year it's going to be filled with a lot of vibrant colors and the 'oh' and 'ah' of the audience."
Those attending the 12 to 15-minute-long show should arrive an hour early to secure a spot.
"I'd say start arriving to the location at Gervais and Main around 11 o'clock," said Davis. "The city is offering complimentary parking,"
For those wanting to create their own firework experience, fourth-generation fireworks salesman Forest Casey, who helps run Casey's Fireworks, said there really is something for everyone.
"If people haven't shot fireworks for the past few years there is a lot of new stuff," he said. "We've got noiseless fireworks so people can shoot and have fireworks that are safe for their dogs and PTSD folks."
Whether you celebrate in your backyard or want to watch the city of Columbia's fireworks show, the option is yours. However, for those setting off their own fireworks, the new Richland County firework ordinance allows fireworks to be set off until 1 a.m. on New Year's Eve.
"People are kind of concerned about the change in firework laws," Casey said. "But we just want to let everyone know fireworks are still legal. You can shoot them until 10 p.m. pretty much every day, and on NYE, you can shoot them off until 1 a.m."
Here's information on parking and road closures for the city's display:
Road Closures
South Main Street between Pendleton and College streets will be shut down at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31. The road will not reopen until 2 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1.
Pendleton Street and College Street will be closed to traffic between Assembly Street and Sumter Street beginning at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31. The roads will not reopen until 12:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1.
Gervais Street along the north side of the State House between Assembly Street and Sumter Street will also be closed to traffic at 11 p.m. for the fireworks viewing area. After the fireworks display concludes, the street will open back up when the viewing area is cleared.
Parking
The City of Columbia offers complimentary parking for the New Year's Eve holiday. Parking gates will be raised at all gated City parking facilities from Saturday, Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. until Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 2 a.m.
For more information on parking in the City of Columbia and to view its parking facilities, visit parking.columbiasc.gov.