Ring in the New Year With Pitbull — For Free

MIAMI — It's "dale" time again as Mr. 305 rings in the New Year with a free concert on Saturday night for Miamians at Bayfront Park along with millions of Americans watching from their homes, parties and bars across the United States.

Performers rehearsed on Friday ahead of Saturday's 11 p.m. concert, according to a Fox representative. Mr. 305 himself also sent out several tweets, including a photo of the stage and a suggestion to consider public transit instead of driving to the venue.

As in other years, Fox will broadcast "Pitbull New Year’s Eve Revolution," to a national audience, which puts the Magic City head to head with "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2017" on ABC, "New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" on NBC and "New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin" on CNN.

The Miami concert will be hosted by Queen Latifah and Snoop Dogg and include performances by Salt-N-Pepa, Naughty by Nature, Biz Markie, Coolio, Tone Loc and Rob Base.

Here in Miami the “Big Orange Ball,” will rise — rather than fall — to a spectacular 13-minute fireworks display just across the park along the facade of the Intercontinental Hotel.

The fireworks will be shot off from a barge anchored in Biscayne Bay.

Officer Christopher Bess of the Miami Police Department told patch that while no road closures are planned, motorists and residents should expect significant delays in the normal traffic flow in the downtown area.

"Miami police officers will be strategically deployed along Biscayne Boulevard to assist with traffic and pedestrians," according to Bess. "Miami Police will also be deployed within the event to ensure the safety of the citizens attending the event."

Attendees are asked not to bring their own fireworks or coolers to the event, which will be followed more musical performances after the fireworks until approximately 12:30 a.m.

The event will also include Pitbull's VIP Food & Wine Party from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m., which requires a paid admission. Ticket prices vary. Visit www.worldwidenye.com for more information.

Pitbull's New Year's Revolution is made possible by the Bayfront Park Management Trust, a limited agency of the City of Miami, with support from the city of Miami, the mayor and the Miami City Commission. Additional support is provided by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade mayor, and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, the Greater Miami Host Committee and Bayside Marketplace.

If you go:

Bayfront Park is located at 301 North Biscayne Blvd. The concert will be staged in the center of the park, just west of the Claude Pepper Fountain.

Directions to Bayfront Park:

From the North:
I-95 South to Exit 2A (Biscayne Boulevard) (Exit from the left lane)
Follow the signs for Biscayne Blvd.
Head straight until the road ends. Turn left onto Biscayne Blvd.
The park is 3 blocks down on the right side.From the South:
Take US1 North to I-95 North. Take Exit 2A (Biscayne Boulevard)
Follow the signs to Biscayne Blvd. Head straight until the road ends.
Turn left onto Biscayne Blvd. The park is 3 blocks down on the right side.

From Eastbound on SR 836 (Dolphin Expressway):
At end of the expressway continue east onto I-395. Exit on NE 2nd Ave/Biscayne Boulevard.
Turn right onto Biscayne Blvd. The park is 9 blocks down on the left side.

From Westbound MacArthur Causeway (I-395):
Exit Biscayne Boulevard. Turn left onto Biscayne Blvd.
The entrance is 10 blocks down on the left side.

Public Transit:

Metrorail to the Government Center StationTransfer to the Metromover. Take the Omni Loop to the Museum Park station.Metrorail: Riders must use an EASY Card/Ticket to pay their fare by tapping it on the station faregates. EASY Cards/Tickets can be purchased in advance at all Metrorail stations or online athttp://www.miamidade.gov/trans...

On December 31st, Miami-Dade Transit will operate the Metrorail and Metromover all night long to accommodate revelers.

Parking:

There is limited, paid parking at Bayfront Park. Head east on NE 3rd Street toward Biscayne Bay. Stop at the parking attendant station. They will direct you.

There are also a number of parking lots around the venue since the area is regularly handles large crowds for Heat games.

Click here to use the city's automated parking finder. Simply type in the name of the location and you will see a list of nearby parking options.

Photo by Eva Rinaldi via Flickr.