Amid a sea of New Year’s Eve parties, countdowns, and champagne, there’s a coastal celebration that stands out from the crowd. Celebrate Twice in Mexico Beach, Florida, is back for another spectacular day and night of fireworks, live music and great food, and ringing in the new year — twice!

What does ‘Celebrate Twice’ mean?

The town of Mexico Beach and its neighboring town of Port St. Joe share a time zone border, giving visitors and locals the opportunity to count down to 2017 in the Eastern time zone in Port St. Joe and then take a free trolley 20 minutes west to Mexico Beach and do it all over again in the Central time zone. Nine free shuttles will run from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. CST, stopping at six participating restaurants and bars in each town.

The venues will offer live entertainment, drinks and Gulf views as patrons ring in the new year — twice in one night.

“Celebrate Twice is such a unique event that can only be enjoyed in a handful of areas around the USA,” said Kimberly Shoaf, president of the Mexico Beach Community Development Council.

“The shuttles running back and forth between the two towns will have security aboard, so peace of mind can be had. Please drink responsibly; while we want everyone to enjoy ringing in the new year twice, we also want you to be safe and to come enjoy our area again and again.”

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

Daytime events on December 31 include a family-friendly Scavenger Hunt through both towns. Anyone can participate by visiting CelebrateTwice.com to print a free Scavenger Hunt punch card. Visit each of the six businesses listed on the punch card to collect New Year’s Eve party favors. Turn the completed card in to the Mexico Beach Welcome Center or Gulf County Welcome Center by 2 p.m. CST on January 1 to enter for a chance to win a gift bag filled with items from Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe.

“Three businesses in Mexico Beach and three businesses in Port St. Joe will offer New Year’s Eve swag,” Shoaf said. “This is a fun activity that everyone in the family can enjoy, and it gets you out into both communities to explore our great stores and shops.”

Families can enjoy two spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks displays. Watch colors and lights burst above Port St. Joe beaches at 10 p.m. and then again over Mexico Beach at midnight.

Safety and security are the top priorities of the Mexico Beach CDC and Gulf County TDC during Celebrate Twice. The complimentary shuttles will stop at these participating locations: Dockside Seafood and Raw Bar, Haughty Heron, the Thirsty Goat, St. Joe Bar, Regan’s Pub and Oyster Bar, and Shipwreck Raw Bar in Port St. Joe, and the El Governor Motel, Toucan’s, Mango Marley’s, Fish House Restaurant, Castaways Southern Cuisine, Rustic Sands Resort Campground, and Lookout Lounge in Mexico Beach.

Learn more at CelebrateTwice.com, and plan your trip with more activities and places to stay at MexicoBeach.com.