On New Year's Eve in Florida, locals and visitors revel in the possibilities of the months to come. From ball drops to fireworks to First Night activities, every locale rings in the new year a little differently. As part of NewYearsQuest -- a MapQuest guide to the best New Year's Eve sights and sounds in the U.S. and in major cities around the world -- here are three recommended events for New Year's Eve 2011 in Florida.

Florida New Year's Eve Event Map

Beach Blast Off

Beach Blast Off in St. Augustine Beach is tailor-made for young children and others who find it hard to stay up until the new year arrives. This family-friendly celebration, held at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier, runs from 4 to 10 p.m. and features ice sculpting, live entertainment, a chili cook-off, and a beer and wine zone for those who want to toast the occasion. Organizers set aside a special area that offers loads of entertainment -- especially for the kids -- including pony rides, face painting and clowns. The centerpiece of Beach Blast Off is an 8:30 p.m. fireworks display that is synchronized with music. If you’re still up for more fun, the after-party continues from 9 to 10 p.m. Vendors offer carnival-type fare and beverages throughout the area.

St. Johns County Ocean Pier, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080

Downtown Countdown

Downtown Countdown transforms a three-block stretch of Fort Lauderdale’s Southwest Second Street into party central for a 12-hour New Year’s Eve bash that runs from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. The Orange Bowl Committee partners with the City of Fort Lauderdale to sponsor the celebration, which is part of the Orange Bowl Festival leading up to the big college-football bowl game. Free to the public, Downtown Countdown is a family-friendly event that features an early countdown at 7 p.m., at which point an 8-foot-diameter ball is lit, giving younger celebrants a way to participate in the countdown fun. Family-oriented fun is offered from 5 to 9 p.m. and includes face painting, a bounce house, games and a kids’ disc jockey. Music and other live entertainment for adult celebrants keep the action going until 3 a.m. The lit ball is dropped again -- this time for adults -- to welcome in the new year at the stroke of midnight.

Downtown Countdown, Southwest Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

First Night St. Petersburg

First Night St. Petersburg, inaugurated in 1993, was conceived as a way to greet the arrival of the new year and to celebrate the performing and visual arts. Multiple venues along the city’s waterfront and scattered throughout the downtown area offer live music, displays of arts and crafts, dramatic presentations and dancing, including Drum Magic and a Resolution Bonfire, in front of which people can tell stories from the past year. The celebration, which sponsors say is Florida’s biggest First Night event, kicks off at 5 p.m. and runs until midnight. Vendors at First Night venues throughout the downtown area sell food and nonalcoholic beverages. The citywide celebration comes to a spectacular climax at midnight as fireworks illuminate the city’s waterfront area. The best vantage point for the fireworks display is Vinoy Park. Although First Night events are open to the public, celebrants are urged to buy First Night buttons to help underwrite the cost of the celebration. If bought in advance of First Night, the buttons cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6 to 12; prices rise to $12 for adults and $6 for children the day of the event.

Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

New Year's Eve In Florida: Video

Fireworks explode over the waters of Tampa Bay, bringing First Night St. Petersburg to a spectacular close.

Did we miss a Florida New Year's Eve event? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

Interested in more stories about Florida? Go to Patch and scroll the list of states to get great local coverage of your neighborhood.

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