All is in readiness for the city’s New Years Eve Party in Sturt Park, with this year’s event set to feature live music, a bigger fireworks show, and new attraction ‘The Cyclone’.
The party will kick off from 6.30pm and feature a range of food and drink vendors including Outback Thai, Mexican Kitchen, Fresh Pizza, Aus Kustom Gaming (hot dogs and chips), and Giovanni & Co. A free water refill station will also be available.
Live music will be provided by Mildura bands ‘Shadow’ and ‘The Wallie’n’Sam Experience’, with local act ‘Echo Lanes’ also set to take the stage.
The bands will play something for everyone with hits from bands such as Fleetwood Mac, Vance Joy, Bon Jovi, and Birds of Tokyo
Kids will be kept entertained by a range of activities including a range of inflatable carnival games, a silent disco, sensory zone, and new mechanical ride ‘The Cyclone’ (children must be at least 120cm to ride).
Changes to fireworks
This year’s party will feature an even bigger fireworks show, as Council trials a new approach to managing fireworks on New Years Eve.
This year will see one large fireworks show launched at 9.15pm from the Line of Lode, rather than the usual practice of two separate smaller fireworks shows at 9.15pm and midnight.
Council’s General Manager, Jay Nankivell, said the new format was based on minimising distress to local pets and also providing a better spectacle for party attendees.
“Fireworks always draw a large number of complaints from pet owners, particularly the midnight encore show as people have often just got their animals settled again,” he said.
“We’re also mindful of the fact that many kids miss out on the midnight show because they’re already in bed.
“So this year we’ll put all the fireworks into one big show at 9.15pm, and skip the midnight launch.
“Hopefully it will mean less distress for pets across town, and a much better show for children and everyone in Sturt Park.”
Locals are reminded that the New Years Party is an alcohol-free event. There is no public access to the Line of Lode and that some activities may be subject to change depending on availability and weather conditions.
