Thousands of people turned out to Paso Robles’ Downtown City Park to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the city’s second annual bonfire and concert.
The festivities ran from 7 to 11 p.m. and included a ball drop at 9 p.m. to coincide with the celebration at Times Square in New York City.
The highlight of the event was a massive bonfire in the middle of the park that began as a 20-foot-tall tower of wood pallets.
Throughout the evening, firefighters kept the blaze roaring by periodically tossing additional pallets into the flames.
The event also feature music by the Lucky Devils Band, plus food and beverages.
Here’s a look at some of photos of the celebration.
Revelers circle around the giant bonfire during Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration at the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
A firefighter throws a pallet onto the giant bonfire at Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
Firefighters throws a pallet onto the giant bonfire at Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
A firefighter throws a pallet onto the giant bonfire at Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
A firefighter throws a pallet onto the giant bonfire at Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
The giant bonfire throws flames into the air at Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
The giant bonfire throws flames into the air at Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
The giant bonfire throws flames into the air at Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
The giant bonfire throws flames into the air at Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
Revelers circle around the giant bonfire during Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration at the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
Revelers circle around the giant bonfire during Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration at the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
Revelers circle around the giant bonfire during Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration at the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
The Lucky Devils Band performs at Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
The giant bonfire throws flames into the air at Paso Robles’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the Downtown City Park on Dec. 31, 2023. Joe Tarica jtarica@thetribunenews.com
This story was originally published January 1, 2024 at 11:28 AM.
Joe Tarica is the editor of The Tribune in San Luis Obispo. He’s worked in various newsroom roles since 1993, including as an award-winning copy editor, designer and columnist. A California native, he has been a resident of San Luis Obispo County for more than 35 years and is a Cal Poly graduate.
