Sparks flew on New Year’s Eve at Prospect Park, where the borough marked the return of its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display — the first since 2020.
Despite the rain, spectators clad in ponchos, rain coats and party-wear gathered on the pavement in front of Grand Army Plaza to ring in the new year with a light display put on by Santore’s World Famous Fireworks and, of course, live music.
This year’s display was hosted by the Prospect Park Alliance in partnership with the New York City Parks Department and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso’s office.
Deborah Kirschner, vice president of communications and external relation for the Alliance, said crowds started filling the Central Brooklyn area around 9 p.m. as a local Brooklyn band entertained the revelers until midnight.
“We were so glad to bring the Brooklyn community back together for this time honored tradition,” Kirschner told Brooklyn Paper.
She added that local support — especially from the Brooklyn beep — goes a long way.
“I think people were really excited to have it back and we were really appreciative of the borough president’s office for making it happen,” she said. “We’re really excited that Borough President Reynoso took on that tradition and he seemed really excited to be out there.”
Reynoso — who was sworn in as borough president in 2022 — eagerly invited families from all over the borough to ring in 2023 together.
“It’s not a Brooklyn New Year’s Eve without fireworks in Prospect Park,” Reynoso said in statement. “What an honor it is to team up with Prospect Park Alliance to bring this beloved Brooklyn tradition back for another year, my first as president of the greatest borough in the world.”
The fireworks show was paused for the past few years due to the pandemic. Prior to the hiatus, the event welcomed Brooklyn residents and tourists alike.
According to Kirschner, there were quite a few non-local travelers in this years crowd — something she sees as a good sign for the year to come.
“To me it really feels like the park is back in action,” she said. “It was exciting to be able to kick off the new year that way.”
