Big Orange is Back

The Chinese invented fireworks in the Seventh Century to scare away evil spirits. By the 14th Century, that same chemistry was harnessed for rocket warfare. Now, we launch rockets over cities like Baghdad and Kabul. Wait, never mind — those are actually missiles. Best not to get the two confused this Friday. You want to keep things light-hearted when you tell 2011: “Bienvenido. Willkommen. Welcome.” Here are a few places to catch fire in the sky (the good kind, not the killing kind) on New Year’s Eve: If that caviar price tag is too rich for your blood, join the masses at the free New Year’s Eve party at Bayfront Park. There’ll be a disco dance party with DJ Tarik as the Big Orange creeps up the spine of the nearby InterContinental Hotel and fireworks explode over Biscayne Bay. Leave your personal cache of firecrackers at home, though, and let the professionals provide the pyrotechnics.
Fri., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., 2010
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Amanda McCorquodale

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