Foreshore alive for party

Fireworks will light up the night sky across Rockingham as the clock ticks past midnight on Tuesday.

Thousands of people are expected to see in the New Year at the city’s foreshore.

The Rockingham beachfront is set to come alive, with musicians, carnival rides and food for the City of Rockingham’s official New Year’s Eve celebration, organised by Street Hassel Events.

Crowds of up to 20,000 are expected for the event, which is set to include acts from the Festival of New Talent competition.

Street Hassel Events event organiser Malcolm Barbera said he and his team had organised the previous two New Year’s Eve events, and each year aimed to improve community involvement.

“We have tried to include the community a lot more in the event, so the big success with the New Year’s Eve events has been including a community stage program and featuring the best of the local community,” he said.

“I think it is important because it does draw more people to the event, but people can take ownership and pride in the event.

“It shows off youth in a positive light.”

Mr Barbera said event-goers could celebrate the old and bring in the new year, by writing down their change for the better on the events resolution board.

“We’ve got the food, we’ve got the concert, we’ve got the carnival and free kids activities,” he said.

“We have the fireworks coming from the Val Street jetty at midnight.”

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said New Year’s Eve was an important event in the community events calendar and it was one of the biggest and most well-attended events in the region for the past 13 years.

“This year I would like to encourage families to come along, buy some food from the onsite vendors or local outlets, and enjoy the free entertainment and children’s activities on offer,” he said.

“It’s a great time to come together, reflect on the past year and see in a new year.”