Merimbula sent off 2016 with a bang – literally – as Ford Park filled with families for the New Year’s Eve Spectacular on Saturday night.
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The event run by Merimbula Tourism and its volunteers saw an estimated 10,000 people attend across the night enjoying family-focused entertainment, several great bands and two incredible fireworks displays.
Merimbula Tourism manager Nat Kirby said her team of volunteers began setting up at 7am in the morning and worked right through until 2am New Year’s Day to clean up after the huge crowds.
“I owe a debt of gratitude to our volunteers both from Merimbula Tourism and also from the general community who helped set up the marquees, assist stallholders, and very importantly shake those buckets for the much needed funds to pay for the event,” Ms Kirby said.
“We are very grateful for the community grant we receive from council, which partially funds the event, as well as a generous donation from East Coast Radio. Some businesses have also contributed financially.
“However, we do need more sponsorship to keep this community event running,” she said.
Ms Kirby said the layout of the popular annual event had to be adjusted this year to accommodate the new accessible playground – which itself was an incredibly popular attraction on the night for the countless children attending.
“The council town team led by Ned O’Donovan did a great job helping cordon off the area to bring in the stage, which was donated by Bobbins trucking,” Ms Kirby said.
“I’m also very thankful for the ambos, RFS, police and Sapphire Life Church’s red frog brigade for their work on the night, all of whom play a huge role in keeping people safe.
“The fireworks themselves were absolutely fantastic – I thought last year was great, but this year was even better.”
The night offered a fantastic mix of family entertainment, kicking off with the Great Zamboni and balloon bending fairy roaming the crowd.
On stage, revellers enjoyed the talents of Ricky Bloomfield’s students from the Merimbula School of Music followed by senior students from Eden Marine High with Crystal from Power FM getting the kids up dancing.
King Kong’s Hat did an awesome job of entertaining the crowd ahead of the 9.30pm fireworks display.
After the earlier fireworks, many of the younger families left, but those who stayed or arrived later were treated by the soothing voice of Layla followed by a great emerging band called Slipways to bring in the new year and the midnight fireworks.
“I’m really proud to be able to showcase our local talent and it’s a great opportunity for them to play to a capacity crowd,” Ms Kirby said.
“We have been receiving a lot of feedback that people really enjoyed the event and it brings many tourists to town.
“Locals and visitors want it to continue. I hope we can secure the funds to make that happen.”
Jeremy Fernando from the Red Frogs said the group gave out 800 bottles of water, 550 hot dogs and 48kg of red frogs.
“We ran out of everything by 12.30 and started helping to clear away and pick up rubbish. It was a big success from the Red Frogs’ point of view,” he said.
The Red Frogs also assisted with the first aid tent where Mr Fernando said they treated a number of underage drinkers.
He said it was particularly disappointing to see 12 and 13-year-olds allegedly drinking to excess.
“Parents need to know where their children are,” he said.
However, he was very pleased that some young people had talked to the Red Frogs on the night and indicated they would like to volunteer next year.
Reports of fireworks being stolen were discounted by organisers. However there were reports of contraband fireworks being set off illegally nearby.