Adelaide City Council met last night to discuss the stirring controversy surrounding the possible abandonment of Elder Park’s big firework display, deciding that a large display would still go ahead for this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Council member Arman Abrahimzadeh confirmed that despite strong opposition from two councillors, there will be fireworks in the CBD this year, after they were cancelled due to a COVID-19-induced hiatus in 2020. Also discussed at the meeting was the approval of the much-anticipated Magic Mike Live in Bonython Park, Sister City relationship opportunities for Adelaide and a home buyer’s rate remission scheme that is to be adopted across the city.
There have been a number of suggestions for how to shake up Adelaide’s New Year’s Eve celebrations including small dinner parties and earlier firework displays that offer a more family friendly, and COVID safe option, avoiding large crowds.
Mayor Sandy Verschoor had previously confirmed that a 9:30 firework show and midnight display would be complimented this year with exciting new additions to the New Year’s Eve timetable, with laser light shows and outdoor dining available throughout hybrid events across the city.
Those keen to enjoy the festivities are being encouraged to spend their New Year’s Eves in Adelaide’s CBD on what local businesses have described as a quiet night for trade, within hotels and restaurants.
At an Adelaide City Council meeting in June, staff members were presented with plans to potentially shake up Adelaide’s New Year’s Eve plans, with a proposal suggested to get rid of the traditional CBD firework display at Elder Park.
Mass gatherings, such as the firework display in Elder Park, now seem at odds with the last year of COVID restrictions, with the Adelaide City Council reporting that their market research indicated most people wanted to celebrate New Year’s Eve with friends rather than at large-scale firework displays, hence the plans to downsize the celebrations.
The report also noted that Adelaide Hotels and restaurants typically found New Year’s Eve a very quiet date in their calendar with the Council hoping that the smaller scale, and wider spread celebrations will generate more business for these industries.
The proposed street parties, positioned as ‘Midnight Moments’ would see a number of Adelaide streets closed off, hosting live music, mini firework shows, light displays and outdoor dining, hoping to capture the imagination of Adelaideans looking for New Year’s Eve plans.
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