The Cape rings in the new year . . . In style
Wednesday’s New Year’s Eve celebration in the South Cape did have one obvious similarity to the party in New York’s chilly Times Square. It was cold — by Florida standards at least. But the commonality didn’t end there.
While thousands of revelers braved the crisp conditions to say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026 at the annual New Year’s Celebration and Ball Drop in the South Cape, the event featured diverse food and drink selections, as well as music acts both on the main stage and at the numerous bars and eateries in and around Southeast 47th Terrace and 10th Place.
The event also featured live entertainment courtesy of the city’s Special Events Coordinator Todd King, who spent the first hour or so conducting dance contests until the “first” ball dropped with accompanying fireworks. This “early” ball drop was for the kids who weren’t “allowed” to stay up past midnight as well as those who were responsibly adulting.
Cape Coral resident Michele Shadrach took turns on King’s dance machine as she was having fun celebrating the new year, although she said she and her husband Tom weren’t sticking around for midnight.
“I love this event,” Michele said. “There are so many kids. It’s good to see them out because we never get to see them anymore, and they’re having a ball.”
Michele is hoping for a great 2026, especially good health. Tom has retired and enjoys golfing and fishing.
“We have grandkids from St. Louis over,” Tom said. “When the 8 p.m. ball drops, we’re going to go home and light sparklers at the house.”
Mark Gilbert and his wife, Melissa, also enjoyed the evening. Relatively new to the area (two years), they came for the attraction in South Cape.
“We wanted to come downtown to check it out and support the community. We love Cape Coral,” Melissa said. “This year was great. We’re still here. We hope for health and happiness in 2026.”
“It’s great to see the town coming back after three tough storms and the surrounding areas of Captiva. It’s good to see some life back,” Mark said. “There are a lot of people here.”
Their friend, Joe Gonzalez, had just arrived and thought everything looked great.
“I can’t wait to check everything out. The year was great. I’m here in Florida, and I love it,” Gonzalez said. “Every year I hope to keep growing and get better and be more prosperous.”
There were also numerous food and snack vendors and family-friendly activities, such as a trampoline and a rock-climbing wall.
Ashley Barker and her family were on vacation from Indiana, so the cold didn’t bother them. She took a ride on the bungee trampoline while her daughter took pictures.
“We’re staying in Marco, but we saw this going on, and we drove here. I love that it’s free. Anything free for children is great,” Barker said to the agreement of her daughter. “This year was great. I have four children, a healthy husband and a great family. I want to stay healthy and stay with good habits in 2026.”
Of course, many of the restaurants and bars were open, not to mention a lot warmer.
Rhonda Payne spent New Year’s Eve at the Dixie Roadhouse. Though it wasn’t because she was cold — she just likes line dancing.
“I was going to spend time here and downtown to be a part of that. I come here a couple times a week to dance,” Payne said. “This year was great. I have a great job (working for the city). I want to line dance more, work out and do some more shelling. Have a good time.”
The main stage featured local favorite Deb & the Dynamics as well as a throwback to the turn of the century with the Pop 2000 tour, featuring boy band favorites like Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, O-Town, Ryan Cabrera, and Brad Fischetti from LFO.
This, of course, was the prelude to the final ball drop and fireworks display which rang in 2026 for real.