JACKSONVILLE, Fla – Thousands rang in 2015 at the Jacksonville Landing. After a night of music and fun, the crowd was treated to a 20-minute fireworks display over the St. Johns River.
For many it was their first time visiting The Landing.
"We're just having fun walking around. Can't wait to see the fireworks," said Dylan Finn.
Many of the visitors are in Jacksonville for the TaxSlayer Bowl. The football game between Iowa and Tennessee will take place at EverBank Field on Friday afternoon.
"It's beautiful down here. It's really great," said David Phyllis-Stanifer who is from Tennessee.
"We love it here. My husband made me promise to come back. Because I'm here without him and he just said come back, come back," said Holly Schwider from Chicago.
The festivities will continue at The Landing on Thursday afternoon when both teams will hold pep rallies and a parade of bands that will feature marching and music from 10 high schools invited from around the nation. The first pep rally is at 1:30, with the bands marching from Coastline Drive into The Landing courtyard from 2-3 p.m.
If you can't make it out to see the afternoon's events, you can watch live on the TaxSlayer Bowl app or on News4Jax.com.