Local businesses ready for downtown Fort Myers NYE celebration

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FORT MYERS, Fla. – Downtown Fort Myers is expecting big crowds for the New Years Eve celebration.

The local bars and vendors will be open. There will be five live bands and a DJ, providing entertainment on every corner. Not to mention, fun for the whole family. There will be a balloon drop at 9 p.m. for families that need to head home early. The ball will drop at midnight.

“We’re giving away 150 of these bubble blower things for the first 150 kids that show up,” Pam Lemmerman said, who owns The French Connection and is the vice president of the River District Alliance.

However, there will be something else new–more eyes in the sky.

“I think it’s the best thing they’ve ever had. I’d like to see a few more lights and stuff lit up, but yes I think the cameras are great,” Lori Large, the owner of Scoops on First said.

“If it makes people feel safer, then I’m all for it,” George Settos, co-owner of Grand Illusion said.

Forty-nine security cameras were recently installed throughout downtown. It was a $450,000 project the city says they fast-tracked after the deadly ZombiCon shooting in October.

“They can’t do anything but good,” Settos said. “A lot of people might have issues, privacy issues or whatever but just don’t pick your nose and you’ll be okay.”

Businesses say they’ve long since moved passed ZombiCon and are thrilled to have 20,000 people enjoy the New Year with them.

“We are excited about the crowds and business has been phenomenal,” Large said.

“By the way this town looks this is going to be a safe place to be,” Dorrie Ford, visiting from Louisiana, said.

Fort Myers police and city leaders will be holding a news conference at 10 a.m. on Thursday to show off the new cameras. Trust WINK News to be there.

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