Thousands in South Lake Tahoe and Stateline for New Year's Eve celebrations

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The ringing in of the new year was celebrated several different ways across the South Shore of Lake Tahoe.

At Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, a season-long celebration concluded with a New Year's Eve celebration attended by an estimated 6,500 people. The festivities included a 9:00 p.m. fireworks show on the gondola, concerts and special activities all day long.

"It was the largest event we've ever had," said Dreu Murin. "There were lots of smiles, lots of people and we want to thank Tahoe South and Ski Heavenly for being the big sponsors of the event."

Murin said the Village had a map up during the holidays for guests to pinpoint where they are from. The full map showed visitors from around the world, many of who were there to greet 2020.

Over the state line, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) say they experienced an increase in the number of calls for service for the New Year’s Eve celebration as compared to last year. From December 31, 2019 through January 1, 2020, there were 12 arrests for criminal crimes, most notably 2 arrests for warrants outside of Douglas County, 3 DUI arrests, 1 person taken for Civil Protective Custody due to being unable to care for themselves, 1 one subject for being for disorderly and resisting a police officer. They estimate their crowd at its peak increased this year to around 7,000 to 8,000 people.

In the Carson Valley, seven people were arrested for various crimes including three arrests for obstruction a police officer and possession of a controlled substance and one arrest for possession of a controlled substance.

DCSO Sheriff Coverley thanked his personnel for their dedication to the community and the safety of visitors for this year’s celebration.

The other large event on New Year's Eve was the final night of the SnowGlobe Music Festival in South Lake Tahoe on the Community Play Fields. As was true the first two nights, the third night resulted in fewer arrests and medical issues than in years past.

On New Year's Eve, there were 28 citations issued by Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) for minors in possession, use of fake identifications, and furnishing to a minor inside SnowGlobe, three to people outside the event in city limits. South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) arrested two for public intoxication. There were two "administrative cases" for licensees near Stateline.

“City staff works hard all year in cooperation with festival organizers,” said City Manager Frank Rush, “We can always improve, but by the numbers, this was another successful year in part because of that hard work and cooperation between the City and SnowGlobe."

The City's telephone hotline and online complaint form for SnowGlobe received 51 complaints on Day 3. Most of the complaints were associated with firework noise, very few about noise from the music, according to Chris Fiore, the City's communications manager. He said staff again responded to all complaints with return phone calls and/or in-person visits. For the third day in a row, several calls were from residents who were pleased with sound adjustments made by the alteration of the stage and other changes this year. In total there were 118 complaints this year during the 3-day festival.

From the City:

- RockMed, the event’s medical services crew, treated 61 patients for the duration
of the festival. Down from 63 last year and 170 in 2017. One person was
transported to the hospital during the entire festival.

- Event organizers and City staff again conducted continuous monitoring of sound
levels at the perimeter of the event venue. They generally recorded decibel
readings in the 70 – 85-decibel range, which are within stipulated permit requirements.

"Numerous local partners, including Lake Tahoe Community College, El Dorado County
Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, STPUD, and others, have worked closely with the City and event organizers, and the City greatly appreciates the strong spirit of cooperation among all parties," said Fiore in a statement.