Ring in the new year in Panama City

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For ajc.com

What are you doing New Year's Eve? Why not start a new tradition celebrating the New Year on the beaches of Panama City?

Pier Park is the place to be on Dec. 31.

Free festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with family-friendly entertainment including bounce houses, party favors, street performers, stilt walkers and face painters. The family portion of the event culminates at 8:30 p.m. with fireworks and a family ball drop, consisting of 7,000 inflatable beach balls.

The big countdown celebration starts at 9:00 p.m. when the streets will be closed to traffic. Guests will party to live music performances and a spectacular fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico at midnight following the 100-foot descent of an 800-pound beach ball.

Panama City Beach is offering value packages to extend the New Year's weekend with nightly rates starting from $99 for gulf front accommodations when reservations are booked online using promo code: NYE. Additionally, guests who enjoy a two-night minimum stay will have their cleaning fee waived. To book, call (866) 203-1164 or visit www.ResortsPCBeach.com.

Beach Break by the Sea, a gulf-front hotel located walking distance from Pier Park, is offering a $59 per couple, per night package through January 4. The package includes continental breakfast, free kids meals at Calypso Beach Café and free shuttle service to New Year's Eve at Pier Park. Parents receive one free kids' meal with every purchase of an adult meal, applicable to children ages 12 and under. To book, call (800) 346-4709 or visit www.beachbreakbythesea.com.

The same packages are also available at Legacy by the Sea and Beachcomber by the Sea for $79 per night, per couple. To book, call Legacy by the Sea at (888) 886-8917 or visit www.legacybythesea.com. For Beachcomber by the Sea, call (888) 886-8916 or visit www.beachcomberbythesea.com.

With every stay at any of Panama City Beach's Sterling Resorts, guests will receive a complimentary bottle of champagne, two champagne glasses, insulated wine bag and sterling silver wine cork upon check in. Shuttle service will be provided from all of Sterling Resorts' Panama City Beach properties to the Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park. Sterling Resorts New Year's Eve rates begin at $99 per night with late check-out at noon. To book, visit www.sterlingresorts.com or call (888) 627-1607.

Sugar Sands Inn & Suites, just a short distance from Pier Park, is offering guests every third night free through January 31 and rates starting at $69 per night. To book, call Sugar Sands at (800) 367-9221 or visit www.sugarsands.com.

For more information on the Panama City Beach Beach Ball Drop, visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.