AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Fireworks will once again ring in the new year in downtown Austin, but city officials will encourage Austinites to catch the show from afar.
While the city's fireworks show will return after last year's virtual event, the traditional activities, vendors, and entertainment acts along Vic Mathias Shores will not, due to an "abundance of caution to help prevent post-holiday surges" of COVID-19.
“In years past, Austin’s New Year has been a family-friendly event with entertainment and activities for kids of all ages," said City Manager Spencer Cronk. "With the vaccine only recently becoming available for children, we are choosing to remain diligent in our efforts to minimize the spread of COVID, while also wishing everyone lots of light and hope for 2022."
"Many local events and venues are offering opportunities to ring in the New Year," said Cronk. "We encourage everyone to celebrate safely and enjoy the fireworks show from a safe distance."
Austin Public Health remains in Stage 3 of its COVID-19 risk-based guidelines, with the Community Transmission Rate (CTR) showing “substantial” rates of virus spread. That has public health officials growing increasingly concerned.
This year's fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. New Year's Eve, and will be broadcast live on the city's cable channel, ATXN.
For safety reasons, Lady Bird Lake will be closed between 9 p.m. and midnight between the railroad trestle bridge and the South 1st Street bridge. Riverside Drive and the 1st Street bridge will also see road closures beginning at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. respectively.
