Pelican Drop New Year's celebration preparations underway

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - The streets of downtown Pensacola were mostly empty on Sunday as many folks avoided the cold by watching football at local bars.

Thousands will soon come together to watch the Pelican Drop usher in 2013 on New Years Eve Monday.

Preparations have already begun as workers set up stages that will soon be full of entertainers.

Throughout the evening, the 14-foot tall pelican, which has a 20-foot wingspan, will be perched above the celebration at the intersection of Palafox and Government Streets.

The Pelican will sit on a 100-foot platform while live performances take place on multiple stages.

Both Palafox and Government Street will be closed to traffic, but area restaurants and vendors will be open.

The event will also have a kid's area, which will feature the special kids countdown at 8 p. m. with confetti and the "bubble stomp".

Anna Polito is hoping to make it early and avoid the traffic.

“I’ve been gone for the last few years and coming back and seeing Pensacola grow will be great to see something like the Pelican Drop,” said Polito.

Jeff Domingo has to work but he's hoping to make it in time to see the big show.

“My favorite part of New Years is the excitement and the togetherness. It's seeing all the smiles on all their faces,” Domingo said.

Businesses downtown are ready for the big night as well. Nick Zangari says he's expecting big things.

“The numbers go up for everybody every year. There will be that many more people who didn’t make it last year. There will be a record crowd,” said Zangari.

Zangari says the Pelican Drop is always a huge bonus for the local economy.

“The downtown area is resurging and this is a great boom for all of us,” Zangari said.

For more information on the Pelican Drop, click here http://www.pensacolapelicandrop.com/