After meeting at my Hermosa Beach apartment on New Year’s Eve, a few friends and I decided to stop by and take in the city-sponsored New Year’s Eve celebration on the downtown pier plaza before heading off to our official New Year’s party destination.

We walked down to Hermosa Avenue and arrived on the plaza filled with throngs of people. Music from Big Band 2000 emanated from a temporary stage built on the plaza and echoed throughout the city.

Dozens of people wearing party hats and holiday colors danced with each other as they waited for the final countdown led by Hermosa Beach Mayor Sam Edgerton.

Thousands of people celebrated New Year’s in Hermosa Beach as the holiday once again attracted large crowds to the plaza this year and police reported no serious injuries or crimes.

According to Hermosa Beach Press Information Officer Paul Wolcott, the entire pier plaza was packed with people from Hermosa Avenue to The Strand.

“It was standing room only, so to speak, throughout the entire area,” said Wolcott. “We had a few minor fights but considering the large number of people there, it was a very successful night.”

Wolcott said between 7,000 and 10,000 people showed up for the New Year’s Eve celebration hosted by the city. The majority of those who attended the event were local residents who walked down from their homes to enjoy a time with neighbors and friends.

“We’ve come down here the last couple of years, and it’s great to see your neighbors and friends all spending time in downtown,” said Jared Everheart, a resident. “We have friends from New York City visiting us and they describe this event as a smaller version of the party in Times Square. So, I guess we have our own piece of New York right here in Hermosa Beach.”

Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council are always on hand for the countdown to the new year and a big band performs throughout the night. The event costs the city an estimated $25,000 each year. The celebration has been met with great reception among residents who feel it’s an event for Hermosa Beach people.

Resident Alexis Koravos said this year was her first time attending the event and she enjoyed her time there.

“It’s obvious that this event is a community event and it’s really nice the city hosts it,” she said. “In looking back at my past New Year’s experiences, it seems as though they’re always so overrated and this year has been really great in just being down here in my city and spending time with a few of my closest friends.”

With the exception of only a few officers, the entire Hermosa Beach Police Department was deployed for the event.

“It seemed as though everyone enjoyed themselves, and we all had a good and safe time,” said Wolcott.

Based on my own observations, there seemed to be less drinking in public and less intoxicated teen-age revelers compared to last year.

Although my friends and I didn’t stick around to ring in the new year on the plaza, it seemed as though many people in Hermosa Beach had a great time at an event the city should be proud to host each year.