Chicagoans Get Ready To Ring In New Year
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Here in Chicago, partiers will soon toast 2015 at Navy Pier.
CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports at Navy Pier, partygoers dressed in their best with sparkle and flash, but with temps chilling down to what would feel like subzero temperatures, cool fashions had to be wrapped in winter gear.
Thousands of New Year's revelers converged on Navy Pier for two lavish parties, backed by a legion of uniformed Chicago police ready to handle anything that might threaten the fun.
The increased security is due to Friday's melee among 30 youths at the Pier's Winter WonderFest, which led to five arrests.
"They didn't come here to have fun, they came here to cause trouble," Shields said. "That's what they did and I think everyone understands that was a very isolated incident."
The Crystal Gardens affair boasted food stations by famous Chicago restaurateur Phil Stefani. More than 1,600 revelers were expected to ring in the New Year at that party.
Chicago's DJ Kane and K-Rose are spinning top 40, hip-hop, house and they'll be partying until 2 a.m.
In addition to the Crystal Garden party at the Pier, there's a separate celebration in the Grand Ballroom as well as boat cruises, all culminating with the city's only fireworks display at midnight.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports earlier in the day New Year's Eve preparations were well underway all around town.
At Doolin's Party Store, they've blown up 6,500 balloons for parties all over town. Steve Silverman, a restaurant manager for P.J. Clarke's, was there to pick up his restaurant's supply.
"We had a last minute cancellation on our balloons, we've got to have balloons tonight," Silverman.
The Coe family, including seven-year-old Miles, shopped for a stay at home party for three.
"All I love about it is, I get to stay up late and make a lot of noise," Miles said.
Meantime, bottles of bubbly are flying out the door at Binny's, even extra-large size bottles.
