On December 31, 2024, celebrations welcoming the New Year unfolded across the globe, with diverse events marking the occasion. From thrilling horse races to live music performances steeped in nostalgia, cities like Auckland, New Zealand, and various spots across the U.S., showcased unique year-end festivities.
The Auckland Trotting Club's New Year’s Eve meeting witnessed remarkable success. This twilight race meeting drew enthusiastic racegoers, and the financial turnover was particularly impressive, reaching $1.4 million, compared to $823,000 the previous year and $1 million for 10 races back in 2022. This substantial increase falls within the broader trend of 20 percent growth in total turnovers for the sport this past year, reflecting not just Auckland's vibrant event but the thriving interest in horse racing overall.
Brad Steele, Chief Executive of Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), expressed pride over the year-end results. "The ATC and all participants should be congratulated for an excellent result. What a finish to the year for both Republican Party and Muscle Mountain," he noted, referring to the standout performers who secured major wins on the night. Republican Party triumphed over Merlin to clinch the $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup, and Muscle Mountain dominated the field for the Group 1 Peter Breckon Memorial National Trot.
This exhilarating event followed Republican Party's earlier victory at Ascot Park, where it won the prestigious Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup. Steele emphasized the significance of these achievements, stating, "To see both win back to back Group races at either end of the country is a fantastic achievement." With such success, HRNZ plans to meet with the Auckland Trotting Club later this month to evaluate their racing and seek improvements for the upcoming year.
Meanwhile, across the U.S. states, New Year's Eve was not without its challenges and preparations, particularly concerning public safety. Arizona’s Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reported mixed outcomes from their crackdown on DUI incidents during the festivities. Despite slight increases, the total DUI arrests—including both aggravated and misdemeanor—rose minimally from 141 last year to 142. While the numbers trended higher than 2023, they still reflected significant decreases compared to 2022, where 225 arrests were documented.
Interestingly, Arizona observed some positive trends. The number of drivers arrested with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of over 0.15 fell sharply from 33 to 17. DUI arrests involving drugs saw a slight increase—from 29 to 32. The average BAC dropped from 0.142 to 0.128, continuing the positive shift from 2022's considerably higher levels.
Enforcement efforts also reported steady improvements with designated drivers contacted reaching 208—an increase from 153 the prior year. This includes nine individuals under the age of 21, down from previous years. Clearly, the measures have encouraged more responsible choices among partygoers.
Interestingly, DUI enforcement was only part of Arizona's public safety initiative during New Year's celebrations. Civil enforcement saw speeding citations rise from 717 to 848, though criminal citations for speeding saw a decline. Seat-belt checks nearly doubled from 38 to 70, reflecting the increased focus on traffic safety measures as people rang in 2024.
Meanwhile, the live music scene also shaped the New Year’s festivities. Goose, a notable musical act, performed at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, and delighted fans with the long-awaited revival of the song “I2I,” originally from the beloved 1995 film A Goofy Movie. The performance marked the first time Goose had played the song since 2019, much to the nostalgia of many attendees. The crowd, many of whom grew up with the movie, were overwhelmed with childhood memories as Goose delved through their energetic set, weaving deep improvisation throughout the show.
Reflecting on the performance, one concertgoer noted, "The bust-out was worth the wait," showcasing the sense of community and nostalgia brought back by the performance. Goose’s set exemplified the blending of nostalgic music with joyful celebration, inviting many to relive their youthful memories.
New Year’s Eve 2024 illustrated how communities can gather to celebrate, combining excitement, entertainment, and public safety measures amid the festivity. Whether through live performances or major sporting events, and keeping safety measures at the forefront, the New Year was welcomed with open arms, setting the stage for another promising year to come.