BATAVIA TIMES – In Los Angeles, days of torrential rain gave way to sunshine on the last day of 2021, jolting residents and tourists out of hibernation.
In a city that has seen a recent surge of Covid- 19 cases, people appeared to be heeding calls from health officials to curtail indoor New Year celebrations. Families crowded hiking paths in the Hollywood Hills, bikers coasted along scenic Mulholland Drive and tourists clicked pictures on the Venice Boardwalk.
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier hosted the West Coast’ s biggest countdown event before midnight. But the pier was not open when the fireworks started, and revelers were asked to enjoy the spectacle from nearby bluffs and beaches or live online.
In Pasadena, the popular Rose Parade will return on Saturday, spectators and all. Last year’s edition was virtual only, the first time since World War II that people could not see it in person.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 8 local time and will welcome thousands of people to see its flower filled floats, as long as they show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test from the previous 72 hours.
Chicago welcomed 2022 with the return of a fireworks display, an event that was called off last year but unfolded on Saturday even as local cases soared to record levels.
The fireworks were launched at several sites along a 1. 5 mile stretch of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, where businesses had arranged viewing parties.
An indoor mask mandate remains in place in Chicago. Next week, a vaccine mandate will take effect for people wishing to dine indoors or visit gyms.
