Public embrace NYE event idea

GRAFTON needs to find a New Year’s Eve activity the public will support if the city is to put on viable entertainment, says Deputy Mayor Craig Howe.

NYE DRAWCARD: A big crowd visited the beachside fair before the early fireworks on New Year’s Eve at Yamba. Photo Adam Hourigan

GRAFTON needs to find a New Year's Eve activity the public will support if the city is to put on viable entertainment for the community, says Deputy Mayor Craig Howe.

Cr Howe said for as long as he could remember people in Grafton looked outside of the city for NYE parties.

"Ever since I was 18 and going out, people tended to head to Yamba," he said. "I think that's still the case today.

"I can't recall anything in Grafton for New Year outside the odd thing in the pubs and clubs."

Cr Howe said if Grafton were to stage NYE entertainment, it would need to be sponsored and community-based.

"It's not something council could put on, but it's something we could certainly support in kind," he said.

"We could provide a venue, like Market Square, in the same way council supports Carols by Candlelight."

Cr Howe said any event in Grafton should complement the NYE events in Yamba rather than compete with them.

Many Grafton residents responded enthusiastically on social media to the idea of a community celebration for NYE.

"Would love to see some form of entertainment, like a music event. The idea of putting the Sydney fireworks on the big screen also appeals to me - maybe combine the two or a special movie or something," wrote Tina Vitolins on Facebook.

"We have so much talent in Grafton, both young and old," wrote Jan Lees. "Maybe you could get TAFE music involved. Have entertainers/buskers playing in different areas of either Market Square or Memorial Park.... Sydney fireworks on big screen sounds good if we can't have our own."

Fireworks on NYE seems to have a lot of support, but this event would need to be privately funded.

"I know plenty of people who are against the Sydney fireworks because of the State Government's input into the funding," said Cr Howe.

"I have some sympathy with that view."

Originally published as Public embrace NYE event idea