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The annual Rockin the Cloud New Years Eve celebration will once again be held in downtown St. Cloud.

The New Years Eve extravaganza culminating with the ball drop in Times Square to signal the start of a new year entices many to crowd the streets of New York to witness the spectacle every Dec. 31.

Many more find the comfort of home without the crowds and traffic more enticing so they watch the annual event on TV. Osceola County residents may find themselves similarly situated.

There are many entertainment options from which to choose in the Central Florida area to welcome the new year, but the thought of navigating the accompanying crowds and notorious traffic, makes ones couch seem ever more appealing to all but the most diehard celebrants. There is another option.

The city of St. Cloud, along with OUC The Reliable One, and Experience Kissimmee, is hosting a local version of this time-honored New Years Eve tradition.

Complete with live music, fireworks, and a cloud drop, the fourth annual Rockin the Cloud New Years Eve celebration in downtown St. Cloud provides an evening of fun and entertainment, but without the crowds and traffic of the big city. And, thanks to the support of these and other local sponsors, including Shamrock Auto Body and Dukes Brewhouse, the event is free to the public.

Erin Jenks, the St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Special Events manager, said that fans of the event appreciate that it is held locally requiring little travel time. She added that the area is spacious and has easily accommodated some 6,000 attendees in previous years.

There is a lot of room for people to go to and from (the event) and not feel crowded, she said.

Specifically, Rockin the Cloud will be held in downtown St. Cloud on Pennsylvania Avenue and New York Avenue between 10th Street and 12th Street. Free parking will be available at City Hall (1300 9th St.) and Centennial Park (1214 10th St.).

Live musical entertainment will be presented on three stages. Opening the evenings entertainment on the main stage located at the corner of New York Avenue and 11th Street is the acoustic duo, Dom and Skart, from the band, The Supervillains (both are from St. Cloud). They will be followed by Maiden Voyage. The other stages feature The Scott Baker Band, The Alex Hayes Band and Harlequin.

Headlining the event is country singer, Brooke Eden. Jenks said that the Florida-born singer has opened for Garth Brooks and has performed at Nashvilles famed Grand Ole Opry.

She will be the final performer before the midnight festivities and will take the stage for an encore performance afterward.

One of the things that we really want to focus on is utilizing our downtown businesses. We want to support our local businesses in this area with this event, said Jenks.

To that end, all the events food and drink will be offered by St. Clouds downtown bars and eateries. Participating establishments include Brews N Blues, Garage Bar, Thee Dog House, Chimentos Spaghetti House, Cobblestone Courtyard, and The American Legion, Post 80.

Rockin the Cloud is a family-friendly event, which will be supervised by law enforcement and private security personnel to promote a fun and safe holiday celebration experience for all.

See the article here:
Are you ready to rock? City of St. Cloud hosting annual New Year's Eve event - Osceola News-Gazette