Ringing in the New Year in Austin is nothing like the ball drop in New York.  

Here, people dressed as bees and hummingbirds take to the street in the First Night parade and children play with sparklers of a different sort, the light saber kind. 

As midnight creeps closer, the party turns to resolutions. 

“Not to chew so much gum,” said one child.

“Finish all the books in my library,” said another child.

“To be a super hero for my family and friends,” said a man.

“I'd like to get a little bit luckier in my dog-watching business,” said a young boy. 

There are still some last minute deciders. 

“I still haven't figured it out. I still have to think about it,” said one woman.

“We need to hurry up and think about it,” said another. 

Some believe resolutions only come true when they're burned. At the First Night event at Auditorium Shores, a large wooden clock tower was constructed out of pieces of wood with hand-written resolutions on them. 

Thousands watched as the clock tower was lit and their resolutions went up in flames and smoke.  

“I think this is the perfect prelude to 6th Street,” said partygoer, Michael Ciaraleglio despite ashes from the clock tower that blew onto the crowd. 

The parties often shift from the shores of Lady Bird Lake to 6^th Street. 

“I have a feeling it's going to be very crazy down 6th Street. We are expecting anywhere between 400-500 people down here,” said co-owner of Roux Restaurant, Jason Portlance. 

Roux is one of dozens of downtown restaurants and bars boasting signs of private parties. 

“We expect easily to sell out pretty early - once we're sold out, we're sold out,” said co-owner of The Parish, Eric Hemati. 

“The roof is booked this year for a private event,” said manager of Iron Cactus, Adam Guerra. 

The bare walkways from Wednesday afternoon will likely turnover to crowded clubs complete with a balloon drop come midnight. 

“It's going to be pretty interesting to say the least,” said Guerra.