Celebrate New Year's Eve Cape Coral style

COURTESY PHOTO New Year's Eve 2008 at Cape Harbour. Three times goes beyond a charm; it becomes tradition at Cape Coral's Cape Harbour at the stroke of midnight.

Signaling the start of 2008 this New Year's Eve marks the third consecutive year that a 6-foot-diameter, lighted ball drops from on high at the community's Promenade.

The ball's drop will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display to ring in the New Year.

"This event epitomizes our desire to open the marina to the public by offering one of the most spectacular New Year's celebrations in the area," said Will Stout, owner of Realmark Development LLC, Cape Harbour's developer.

And in return, the public turns out to eat, drink, dance to live music and even shop in the community's many boutiques.

"We had more than 1,500 turn out last year," said Sean Lucas, a managing partner at The Joint, one of the community's restaurants. "We expect a repeat of last year's good times."

Including Rumrunners, The Joint and Pignoli an Epicurian Marketplace, the boating community offers a variety of fare at its restaurants. Reservations are necessary for Rumrunners and Pignolis for the festivities, but The Joint plans to serve without reservations.

If listening to the restaurant's chef de cuisine, Fabrice Deletrain, talk about food means anything — it means get there early and be hungry.

"We are going to have the finest filet mignon available, topped with foie gras that melts to the mouth," Deletrain said. "It can be ordered in the restaurant or outdoors around the Promenade. There will be many more dishes to delight. Last year we accented Italian, this year French."

More than 65 staffers at The Joint and Long-Boards, an outside cabana bar will serve the thirsty and hungry crowd. Providing the soundtrack, A200, a local favorite band, promises to shake things up starting at 6 p.m.

For early arrivals parking will be available at Cape Harbour, but for those arriving a little later, there will be a shuttle from the Publix parking lot at the corner of Cape Coral Parkway and Chiquita Boulevard South.

"I can't wait to see how people decorate their boats for the night," said bartender Iris Feraldi. "People have reserved boat slips to party on and watch the fireworks."

No boat? The Banana Bay Tour Company plans a two-hour cruise from Cape Harbour starting an hour before sunset. Call 945-6116 for details.

Pignolis sold out in three days, but a call to 542-0800 could check on cancellations. Odds are Rumrunners could be sold out, but call 542-0200 to check.

No reservations are needed at The Joint and food and drink will be available all around the Promenade area at 5848 Cape Harbour Drive.