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Fireworks light up the sky at the Glamis sand dunes Saturday night. (FERNANDO ACOSTA JR. PHOTO / December 29, 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.
Fireworks were in the sky Saturday as part of a Polaris-sponsored event to showcase their newest 2013 ATVs.
“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.
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.
The majority of people will be arriving on New Year’s Eve, Yellowman said.
“It’s a traditional thing just to meet up and have fun in the dunes,” he said.
Staff Writer Celeste Alvarez can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at calvarez@ivpressonline.com
