THOUSANDS of revellers are expected to flock to Vansittart Park to enjoy live music and family-friendly entertainment at Mount Gambier’s annual New Year’s Eve celebrations this weekend.
Around 5500 people ushered in 2017 at the party in the park and organising chair Steve Toope anticipates a similar turnout this Sunday night.
“We expect to have around the same number through the gates this year,” Mr Toope said.
“A couple of motels have contacted us to let us know at least three buses of tourists will attend – they had guests who were looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve and recommended the community celebrations.
“I drop flyers to motels and caravan parks and we have noticed in the last three years we seem to be getting quite a few tourists at the celebrations – they appreciate there is a family-friendly, inexpensive event that is centrally located.”
The organising chair said the Riot City Wrestlers were set to enter the ring again this year and would be a draw card for many.
“It astounds me how popular the wrestling is – the kids absolutely love it,” he said.
“We have added laser tag to the kids area this year and I think that will be a big hit.
“The kids’ area will have the giant games, bumper soccer, jumping castles, slides, face painting and the Bunnings craft tent.
“Last year the Bunnings craft tent had enough material for 200 to 300 children and they exceeded that, so that has proven very popular too.”
Mr Toope said the organising committee had extended the cutoff time for the children’s area following community feedback.
“I think last year we closed it off at the 10pm mark, but this year we have extended the cutoff time until 11pm,” he explained.
“Last year we had families staying later so we have adapted to meet that demand.”
This year’s live music lineup includes the Phoenix Singers, Profile, Ben Hood, Mischief and Mayhem, Rehashed and the Mount Gambier Pipe Band.
Rehashed frontman Russ Hooper said the band was excited to make its New Year’s Eve celebrations debut.
“We have never played at the event so we are looking forward to it,” Mr Hooper said.
“We go on at 11.25pm – we are the last act before the midnight countdown so it should be a great atmosphere.”
Mr Toope said he measured the success of the event at the same time each year.
“Just before the family fireworks, I look out over the oval from the grandstand,” he said.
“When I see families spending time together, mum and dad looking relaxed and the kids running around having a ball – that’s when I decide all the hard work was worth it.”
