BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- Some people rang in the new year early, celebrating with people of all ages at the Birmingham Zoo’s Zoo Year's Eve event.
Families got to bring in 2025 together with bubbles, a walk through the Glow Wild light trail and a red panda drop.
"The kids are at that kind of age where there’s a lot of still excitement and everything around, so it’s definitely we want to spend time with them while they still want to spend time with us,” said Birmingham resident Lindsay Ramirez.
"We wanted to do something spectacular for New Years’ Eve, and this is it. This is wonderful," said Allie J., who is visiting her daughter from Arkansas. "We can go to bed.”
Going to bed early is the activity of the night for many families, even the parents.
"We’ll be watching the 6 p.m. ball drop, and that might be the only one we watch,” Ramirez said.
"With a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old, my wife and I are looking forward to these two eventually going down, and then we’ll watch a later ball drop together,” said Birmingham resident Colin Harris.
Spending the holiday together as a family is what many cherished the most.
"The beginning of a new year, a new journey, no telling what’s to come, and it’s just a fun thing to experience and share with your kids and your wife and your family,” Harris said.
"You build relationships and bonds, so something that they can cherish and remember,” said Birmingham resident Brandy Sims.
And what are people taking into 2025 besides family?
"Just a lot of satisfaction and hope and faith,” Allie J. said.
"Longevity, prosperity, just a peace of mind and blessings,” Sims said.
"Family, health and being together,” Ramirez said.
"Staying close to the things that make you happy to be alive,” Harris said.
The Birmingham Zoo turns 70 in 2025 and will have many other events and celebrations throughout the year.