Photos for Headline Surfer® by Greg Trujillo / The party wasn't as rockin' on New Year's Eve as it was a year ago with a less pronounced crowd, though alcohol sales in the middle of Main Street as shown in the nearer photo was the main attraction of promoter Al Smith's show, supplemented by taxpayer funding from the city of Daytona Beach, the Halifax Area advertising Authority and Volusia County government.
DAYTONA BEACH -- Promoter Al Smith was less than pleased with the Headline Surfer® preview of his New Year's Eve party on Main Street based on the 24/7 internet newspaper's coverage of last year's event and the raw tone depicted in a series of videos of the decadence and drinking.
Headline Surfer® graphic / At left is a Facebook string between the internet newspaper publisher and New Year's Eve promoter Al Smith of Southern Stone/Black Crow regarding the internet newspaper's criticism of booze being sold in the middle of the public street in the presence of children in what is clearly an adult-themed party.
The advance story, headlined "New Year's Eve: Decadence of Daytona on display tonight with 20,000 strong partying, puking & driving home drunk," chronicled the event for what it was -- a drunk-fest with scores of families with their children in tow, partying like college kids.
The published videos were mild compared to some of the adult content -- lewd gestures, vulgarity, intoxication, that was left out for the sake of decency. Regardless, the point was made that Daytona is better than this or it should be.
Smith took issue with the advance story on Facebook, stating, "In-depth reporting? I take great pride in producing this event. All you did was reprint hatchet job story you did last year! Fail to mention the kids zone, clowns, stilt walkers, kids dance contest and the increased family activities on the boardwalk. Also Ball was greatly improved from last year. How is this worse then New Year City, Paris, Orlando or Panama city? Must be a burden to live life with such venom and anger."
Smith's harsh words that Headline Surfer® is filled with "venom and anger" is a common theme repeatedly thrown at the internet newspaper by political and business insiders like Smith who don't like the media scrutiny when he and others are in the business of making a buck.
It is what it is. You can read the Facebook string between Smith and the internet newspaper included here.
While there certainly could have been a claim made fore 20,000 people on Main Street for the 2012-'13 New Year's Eve party, the 2013-'14 version was far less as shown in the photos included with this story. Perhaps people got the message either from attending last year and experiencing the trashiness firsthand or from reading and watching the videos in what was reported.
Photos for Headline Surfer® by Greg Trujillo / New Year's Eve on Main Street in Daytona offered plenty of booze and several live bands.
Smith argued Daytona's ringing in the New Year is no different New York City, Paris or Orlando and remarked sarcastically, "Oh so your the moral authority for our community?! I will be sure to check with you before my next event.."
Quite frankly Promoter Smith, there is a huge difference between the way New Year's Eve is done in places like the Big Apple and what beachside merchant Paul Politis aptly described as honky-tonk catering to the lowest common denominator: It's called class. The booze is inside, not in the middle of the public street. Headline Surfer® will continue to report the news and won't hesitate to speak up when children are exposed to adult-oriented street parties.
Quite frankly Promoter Smith, there is a huge difference between the way New Year's Eve is done in places like the Big Apple and what beachside merchant Paul Politis aptly described in the advance story as honky-tonk catering to the lowest common denominator: It's called class. The booze is inside, not in the middle of the public street. Headline Surfer® will continue to report the news and won't hesitate to speak up when children are exposed to adult-oriented street parties.
New Smyrna Beach has had alcohol-fueled street parties supported by CRA dollars for half a decade now on Flagler Avenue.
Headline Surfer® photo / Riccilyn Rigoli of Port Orange was killed in a crash on the South CausewayBruidge in New Smyrna Beach following a night of partying during the Cinco de Mayo party on Flagler Avenue. Her blood alcohol was nearly three times rhe legal limit, according to the medical examiner's autopsy report. Here is a link to the tragic story: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/412467-cra-street-party-fallout-mom-who-died-horrific-crash-south-causeway-bridge-new-smyrna.
During the Cinco de Mayo street party on Flagler with its half dozen or so bars, a 32-year-old mother of three partied and then got behind the wheel of her SUV. She smashed into the concrete barrier at the crest of the South Causeway Bridge, and in the process, was thrown through the driver's side window as the vehicle rolled several times before landing on top of her crumpled body.
So keep pushing the booze, promoter Smith. It's just a matter of time.
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New Year's Eve: Decadence of Daytona on display tonight with 20,000 strong partying, puking & driving home drunk