Teino Evans, Staff Reporter MANY PERSONS will again get the chance to celebrate New Year's Eve in the good old fashion way this year - 'Fireworks on the waterfront'.
The event was officially launched yesterday at the Office Centre Building, 12 Ocean Boulevard, downtown, Kingston.
Slated for Ocean Boulevard (by the waterfront) in downtown, Kingston on New Year's Eve, the event promises to be hot, sizzling and spectacular.
Sonia Dowding, member of the Harbourfest Organising Committee, the persons behind the event, says fans can expect 'fire on the water'.
ATTRACTIONS
For this year's staging, there will be a number of attractions, including children's activities commencing at 4 p.m. and family-oriented stage performances that have been divided into different segments, namely gospel, cultural, vintage and reggae/R&B.
The performances will begin at 5 p.m. and will feature performances from Fanton Mojah, Tanto Metro and Devonte, Lubert Levy (JCDC Gospel Winner 2004), Mighty Diamonds, Junior Kelly, JCDC Groups, Katalys Crew, Bescenta (second place Popular Song winner 2k4), Ashe and Tivoli Dance Troupee.
HISTORY
Since its inception in 2000, with a brief hiatus in 2001, 'Fireworks on the waterfront' has become one of Jamaica's most anticipated spectacles of colour, entertainment and excitement.
Last year, the event recorded more than 100,000 persons who turned out to participate and according to Dr. Vincent Lawrence, executive chairman of the Urban Development Corporation and keynote speaker at the launch, this type of recreational event plays an integral role in the development of downtown, Kingston.
"You will agree that with any development, the recreational aspect also plays an important role. We believe, therefore, that 'Fireworks on the Waterfront' provides an excellent opportunity to showcase downtown, Kingston and to re-engage the interest of the people within and outside of downtown Kingston," Dr. Lawrence said.
The scale of, and infrastructure for the production of 'Fireworks on the waterfront' has grown in tandem with the estimated crowd last year, and is being put on with a budget of more than $4 million.
This year a stage will be strategically placed across Ocean Boulevard, with dispersed multi media screens to accommodate the anticipated crowd.
