Tens of thousands gathered at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles to ring in 2015. Kate Larsen reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014.
Thousands of people saw in the New Year at a free public celebration at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles.
The chilly weather was not enough to keep revelers away from the bash, which featured three stages, a dozen music acts, a light show on City Hall and even a photo booth.
It was the second year NYELA has taken place, and MC and comedian Mario Hernandez hopes the event will become a must-attend event for people from all over in the future.
"We want this to eventually be a destination where people from Europe, people from Asia, people from New York are saying… we’re going to go to LA. The less cold, relatively warmer weather of Los Angeles, where we can dance, be out in the open," Hernandez said
And people were delighted the city has an event to rival those held at some of the country’s biggest New Year’s Eve party destinations.
"It's amazing, I didn't think they did this type of event here. I only saw (them) in New York and other places," one attendee said.
Hiot food and drink kept people warm, but alcohol was banned this year to make the event more family-friendly., and around 400 security personnel were drafted in to keep it safe.
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Around 25,000 people attended the 2013 event, which caused long queues and led to food running out.
This event was much larger, with four entrance gates instead of two, three times the event space and double the food options.
