Thousands celebrate at 1st-ever Chicago 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' Ryan Seacrest' downtown
CHICAGO (WLS) -- What a night it was. Thousands of people filled Wacker Drive to ring in the New Year.
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" marked the first time Chicago was featured in the national broadcast.
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Chicago native Chance the Rapper hosted the celebration.
Chance the Rapper led the festivities and he, DJ Mike Dunn, DJ Mike P, J. Ivy and Shemekia Copeland all performed here at the corner of Wacker and Franklin in the Loop, starting at 9 p.m.
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Chance headlined the massive outdoor party taking the stage for his countdown performance shortly before midnight.
The evening ended with a fireworks display along the Chicago River as revelers watched from the bridges.
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People started arriving shortly before 5 p.m. to get the party started night, with the live broadcast beginning at 7 p.m.
Despite the cold weather and snow showers, the event had a good turnout.
Mayor Brandon Johnson was thrilled about Chicago's inaugural appearance during "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest."
"This is the culmination of a lot of great workers and of course partnering with ABC. This is truly a remarkable testament to the world and so we are looking to bring in the new year where the entire world gets to see why we are truly the most amazing city in the world, the city of Chicago.
"This is Chicago, baby. We get winter, spring, summer, fall in one day. They better come outside. Because we're outside," Kenyatta Carter, who attended the festivities, said.
Not only did Chicago police have a visible presence, the city also received help from federal law enforcement to make sure people rang in the new year safely.
