Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Salt Lake City expects over 25,000 guests for its "Last Hurrah" New Year's Eve celebration on Wednesday.
- Enhanced security this year includes metal detectors and restricted bag sizes at entry points.
- Police encourage vigilance and reporting suspicious activity for a safe celebration.
SALT LAKE CITY – More than 25,000 guests are expected at Utah's biggest, free New Year's Eve celebration Wednesday night.
This is "Last Hurrah's" ninth year. It's put on by The Gateway and Downtown Alliance.
From 8 p.m. to midnight, guests and families can expect live music, street performers, food and drink vendors and activities. A nearly 10-minute firework show will start at 12 a.m.
"We have a game room that's specific for kids," said Julissa Breslin, marketing director for The Gateway. "We have balloon twisters that will be doing that for free."
She said one of the 21-and-over bars is karaoke specific.
DJ Bangarang goes on at 10 p.m. He'll lead the countdown to 2026.
"I think people like to come early, they'll go to the restaurants, they'll go to the bars, they'll come into any of our indoor spaces or hang out outside, while they wait for our fireworks show, which obviously is at midnight," Breslin said. "We'll have a countdown on the digital tower, and then we'll welcome the new year, all together."
There's enhanced security this year.
"Every entry point will have metal detectors, and we're only allowing small clutch-size purses," Breslin said. "The only exception to that is diaper bags and medical bags which will also be subject to search as well. Strollers are OK, but we're not allowing any wagons or coolers or any outside food or drinks."
There will be more Salt Lake police officers monitoring the event.
"Please stay alert," said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Miles Southworth. "Stay aware of your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, report it to police."
He said there will be enhanced security around large gatherings but encouraged the public to speak with police if they have concern.
"We would rather get a call and investigate it and determine it's nothing," Southworth said. "Be safe. We want people to have fun, like I said, and celebrate responsibly."
