Portland New Year’s Eve celebrations

PORTLAND will continue to uphold its status as the biggest street party in regional Victoria this New Year’s Eve.

The celebrations, which will take place on the picturesque Bentick Street Foreshore lawns, will boast an impressive line-up of entertainment to delight all ages, including children’s amusements, live music and a spectacular firework display at both 10pm and midnight over the Portland harbour.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Anita Rank said the popular event was sure to attract visitors from far and wide.

“With such a diverse range of free entertainment on offer right across the evening, Portland will once again be the New Year’s Eve destination of choice across the region,” she said.

“Kids will love the juggling, puppetry and ballooning of Ron the Clown and there’s plenty of live music to keep our older crowd busy dancing all night, with performances from Jason Bull, DJ Chegs and City Heat.”

Council also voted unanimously at its recent meeting to lift the alcohol free status in Bentick Street for New Year’s Eve celebrations, starting at 6pm and finishing at 1am.

This will mean that Portland will be one of the only places in Victoria to allow drinking in the main street for New Year’s Eve, a major drawcard for both locals and tourists.

“With the much-loved carnival also open from Boxing Day, there are so many fantastic selling points to attract visitors to celebrate the end of 2017 here in the Glenelg Shire,” Ms Rank said.

The New Year’s Eve event will take place from 5pm and continue through to 1am.