Clad in an array of colourful clothing, while sporting lighters and whistles, a massive crowd packed the Port Antonio Square in Portland, extending from lower West Street to the old courthouse, in celebrating the genesis of a new year.

The carnival-like atmosphere started approximately 9:00 p.m Sunday with Christians and non-Christians converging near the old courthouse where a Christmas tree planted by the Portland Parish Council shone brightly, heavily decorated with winking lights, multi-coloured bulbs, turtle doves and trimmings.

"The turnout for Christmas celebration was extremely poor, but this is massive," exclaimed Cyrus Bell, a local resident. "It is obvious that people here in Portland are going to make the effort to better their lifestyle and living conditions for this year, despite the economic hardship."

As the hours ticked by, members from various churches joined in with the already jam-packed crowd, which also included tourists, shouting greetings simultaneously and extending handshakes and hugs.

Traffic had to be diverted along William Street as the entire perimeter of Fort George Street, upper and lower West Street, sections of Harbour Street and along Fore Shore Road were blocked by the impregnable crowd.

Pandemonium broke loose one minute to midnight and, as the seconds elapsed, the countdown from 10 started.

When the midnight hour struck, shouts of "hip-hip hooray" echoed throughout the Port Antonio Square.

Even nearby vendors got into the act with the lighting and bursting of Red Devil fire crackers, which exploded in unison.

- Gareth Davis