Revived Tangerine Drop a Sweet Success

New Year’s Eve saw locals coming out in full force to celebrate Brooksville’s revived Tangerine Drop at the intersection of East Liberty and South Brooksville Avenue. By 6 p.m., visitors were browsing vendor tents and food trucks dotting the blocked roads near the intersection in view of the Hernando County Courthouse. As the night wore on, families and friend groups lined the streets within the blocked-off areas with folding chairs, blankets, and strollers to hear the lively music and to witness the dropping of the large glowing orange fiberglass tangerine at midnight.

Tangerine Drop organizers, Brooksville Main Street, provided fun for all ages. Next to the water tower in the parking lot of Downtown Fitness, Bubbles ’N’ Foam party company delighted children of all ages with a bubble foam dispensing machine, cheerful dance music and changing colored lights. Children danced and jumped in the foam, covering themselves in it and frequently losing shoes in the fun. Parents and their children were invited to play corn hole and make large bubbles with wands. At 9 p.m., children were surprised by their own tangerine drop of foam tangerines thrown from the City Center building into the intersection and on the sidewalk below.

DJ Shalamar kicked off the evening with his Twinkle Time Family Party playlist from a flat-bed stage placed at the north end of South Brooksville Avenue, across from the courthouse. The Tommy Roxx band took over at 9:30, keeping the mood festive to welcome the new year. New to the stage, Boondoggle Eats stayed open until 10 pm, providing festival goers with more food options and another lit outdoor eating area. Across the street, the whimsical Country Depot shop also supported the event by staying open until after midnight, giving visitors another chance to shop.

Meanwhile, Brooksville Main Street’s VIP Experience offered event ticket holders dinner from local restaurants served buffet-style in a roped-off seating area complete with decorations and New Year’s party favors and champagne for midnight. VIPs enjoyed sitting at tables in the middle of all the action- within view of the tangerine and the stage.

City of Brooksville employees Dustin Howard and Dakota Register were responsible for closing down the roads for the event and for the operation of the Menzi, a large machine with legs used by the city for cleaning out drainage ditches and mucky and muddy areas. Shortly before midnight, the glowing tangerine was raised by a sturdy chain from its hay bale resting place by the Menzi and returned at the stroke of midnight amid the crowd of on-lookers and several rounds of paper confetti.

Many community members in attendance were excited and appreciative that this tradition has been brought back to Brooksville. Many families with small children even stayed well after midnight, soaking in the good vibes from the shared community experience. Those who the author spoke with state they fully intend on coming back next new year!