Chilly 2009 gets off to a quiet start

Low temperatures didn't chill Richmond's biggest New Year's party, as 2009 got off to a quiet -- if cold -- start.

With security doubled at the street party in Carytown -- and well-bundled-up celebrators seemingly as inclined to sip hot coffee as cold beer -- police reported no major incidents.

Organizers estimate 25,000 to 27,000 people came to the event at some point during the evening, with more than 20,000 on hand to watch the Byrd Theatre's lighted ball mark the new year at midnight.

"It was cold, and in Richmond, cold is not a good thing . . . but it was a great event," said Raylene Wilkinson, president of the Carytown Merchants Association.

People packed several blocks of West Cary Street over a roughly four-tenth mile stretch west of the Boulevard.

The celebrants were mostly young, mostly loud and very happy.

Some had been drinking, but with the sub-freezing weather and chilly breeze, coffee was popular. Many restaurants and businesses in the popular shopping district were open, while vendors sold hot dogs, funnel cakes and other festival fare.

At the intersection of Cary and Sheppard streets, a street preacher stood on a small ladder and gave the crowd all he had, while across the street, there were screams of revelry from a roof-top party.

As midnight approached, partygoers from nearby homes, some in shirtsleeves, rushed to Cary Street.

Hugs, cheers, toasts, kisses and fireworks -- authorized and otherwise -- then greeted the new year.

Police were out in force, riding horses, bicycles and motorcycles and in cars, vans and SUVs.

This year, organizers tripled their spending on security, with double the police -- at double the cost -- of last year's event, in addition to private security and barricades to create an emergency lane. The extra cost meant the group charged $2 admission to this year's event.

In other parts of the city, the usual gunfire into the sky seemed more subdued than in New Year's past, Richmond police Lt. Thomas Nolan said.

Chesterfield County police reported five random gunfire calls, four right at midnight, while Henrico County responded to some wild party calls and caught a couple of drunken drivers.

Aside from a wreck in South Richmond, area police and sheriff's offices reported the roads were fairly quiet and safe.
Contact David Ress at (804) 649-6051 or .

Contact Frank Green at (804) 649-6340 or .