Navy Pier Boosts Security After Friday Night Brawl
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Folks are getting ready to ring in the New Year. Some traditions never change, but things will be different at Navy Pier.
There are new rules, prompted by security concerns after a Friday night disturbance.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for admission to Winter WonderFest.
CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports Navy Pier was packed with people celebrating winter fun Tuesday evening. Thousands more will converge there Wednesday for two huge New Year's Eve parties and the fireworks.
"We have two parties going on tomorrow: one in our Crystal Gardens and one in the Grand Ballroom," said Navy Pier spokesman Nick Shields. "So they start around 8:30-9 o'clock and they'll go until about 1:30 or two in the morning. So, it's going to be fun. All of Chicago is going to be here. It's going to be a blast."
The fun at Winter Wonderfest shut down temporarily last weekend when fights between up to a hundred teens erupted.
"We almost did not come," said Steve Richter. "We have a six-year-old. We're from the suburbs."
"Oh my God it was frightening and it's frightening when you think you're accustomed to letting the kids roam and do what they like," Maretta Marsh.
"We resort to violence too much. Period. Because, I mean, you know, we're just doing too much as teenagers, you know?" said 15-year-old Christian Pearson.
Pearson is attending Winter WonderFest with his 14-year-old friend and her grandmother, Marsh. All are pleased with the new rule requiring parents or legal guardians to chaperone.
"I understand that's one way of them controlling things," Marsh said. "We used to be able to go freely. We didn't have to show a band. I mean it's obvious they've beefed things up."
"You're gonna see visible presence here because, like I said, safety and security is our number one priority," said Shields. "We want people to have fun, but we're gonna make sure everyone is safe as well."
Winter WinderFest will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and fireworks start at midnight.