A BUMPER crowd flocked to Vansittart Park on Monday night to celebrate the start of the new year at the city’s “Party in the Park”.
Thousands of people enjoyed an array of interactive activities and live musical performances all in the centre of Mount Gambier.
Mount Gambier Community Events committee members Steve Toope, Maxine Tuffnell, Barry Treloar and Jeni Jackson were happy with how their final night at the helm transpired.
“We hope someone will step up and take our places to continue this tradition,” Ms Jackson told The Border Watch on the night.
“It looks like we had a really great turn out, but I think we are short around $3000 dollars after costs and admission fees.
“It is hard as we did not get the same donations or sponsorship as we did last year.”
Over 10 years ago, Mount Gambier had no community event to usher in the new year, prompting formation of the committee and development of the annual family festival.
Ms Tuffnell said the festivities attracted people of all ages.
“We had a lot more families with little ones this year,” she said.
“We change up the activities every year and this year we had the addition of the human bumper soccer ball game and a great big climbing wall.
“The bumper balls seemed fun and when I walked past a child got stuck upside down and enjoyed rolling around to get back up again.”
But Ms Jackson said the firework displays had long been a key highlight of the night.
“It seems to me the kids and families have loved the event,” she said.
“Best of all, the weather has been fantastic.
“Although the event is a lot of hard work and we have been here all day, it is worth it when you see the smile on the kids’ faces.”
Ms Tuffnell believes the whole event is positive.
“A lot of the visitors shake their head is disbelief that all they have to do is pay to get in and all the activities are free,” she said.
“The idea for the event was to make it affordable.
“It appeals to people that can not afford to travel for New Year’s Eve.”
As the current committee is stepping down, the future of the event is uncertain.
“We have two people’s names down so far for the new committee,” Ms Jackson said.
“It is disappointing when you see the Facebook page has had nearly 3000 views.
“We have been working hard for three days and not one person has asked if they can come and give us a hand.”
