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Visitors enjoy their New Year's vacation Saturday night at the Glamis sand dunes. (FERNANDO ACOSTA JR. PHOTO / December 31, 2012) |
GLAMIS — For some families the New Year is just not the same without sand dunes and an all-terrain vehicle revved up and ready to go.
Feeling those sentiments exactly, Yorba Linda resident Phillip Franco and his family decided to celebrate the New Year the same way they have been for years, at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area in eastern Imperial County.
“It’s always fun out here and it’s a good time to hang out with family and just enjoy each other’s company and have a good time riding,” Franco said.
Having driven three hours to be a part of the desert celebration, Franco on Saturday recalled past New Year’s holidays spent in the dunes.
“You can pretty much count on us having celebrated the New Year the same way anyone has. We wait for the clock to ring 12 and bring out the champagne, but there are usually a lot more fireworks that night,” Franco said.
With more than 117,000 people expected to attend the dunes this New Year’s weekend, some families were able to see fireworks blaze the sky above Glamis, as a Polaris-sponsored event showcasing their newest 2013 ATVs took place Saturday.
“Yeah, we just missed the fireworks,” Franco said.
Other riders are making new traditions for the New Year as they experienced their first time at the dunes.
“People come out here to ride and just have fun. I’m having tons of fun; this will definitely be our newest tradition,” Phoenix resident Kyle Llewellyn said as he sat amongst friends Saturday evening at the dunes.
As most riders arrived at the dunes as early as Wednesday and Thursday, officials are beginning to notice that many families were also trying to beat the soon-to-be hectic traffic by leaving the dunes as early as New Year’s Eve.
“I have seen a lot of families head out early to beat the rush,” said Joya Szalwinski, interpretative park ranger for the Bureau of Land Management El Centro field office.
All of the extra foot traffic during New Year’s Eve weekend is common, according to local food eatery owner Roland Yellowman of Glamis Lunch Box.
“I think New Year’s has the most traffic because it’s like a traditional thing for families. Percentage-wise, during the holidays business picks up about 80 percent. I see a lot of people,” Yellowman said.
Although some families left early, Yellowman thought the majority of people would be arriving New Year’s Eve.
Staff Writer Celeste Alvarez can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at calvarez@ivpressonline.com
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