|
|
Sydney Welcomes 2007
with Fireworks Display
 Sydney,
Dec 31 (DPA) Sydney did not disappoint New Year's Eve revelers,
providing a fireworks display with an accent all its own - filled
with splashes of magenta, lime and gold, and an excess of sound and
light, Australian news reports said.
As many as 1 million Sydney-siders braved wind to welcome 2007, but
predicted rain stayed away. And, as usual, the Harbor Bridge was the
hub of the extravaganza.
For the 9.00 p.m. (0800 GMT) lightshow, a red question mark turned
into a coat hanger more than 100 meters wide. Two hours later an
illuminated diamond appeared to mark the bridge's jubilee year. But
the crescendo came just after midnight (1100 GMT), when the glowing
symbol erupted in a sea of stars exploding in all directions.
The Wizard of Oz was this year's theme.
Roving stilt-walkers and characters from the classic 1939 film
including Dorothy, Toto and the Wicked Witch of the West roamed the
Lord Mayor's picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
As Dorothy's magical red slippers were projected onto the bridge's
pylons at 9.08 p.m., thousands of children were encouraged to click
their heels three times, causing the city to be bathed in green
light.
Crowds began arriving from early Sunday to gather around the harbor,
with popular spots such as the Domain and Mrs Macquaries Chair full
by midday and
boats filling the harbor.
For the Walburn family, of Hunters Hill, a Sydney suburb, the
logistical nightmare of claiming a prize spot under the southern
pylon of the bridge was worth the effort.
Ella, 9, and Max, 5, spent eight hours in keen anticipation of
clicking their heels to Dorothy's magical red slippers.
"When the fireworks come down they look like they are going to come
straight down on top of you," said Ella, a New Year's Eve fireworks
fan - usually watching from somewhat further away.
But with English friends in town, their mother, Linda, made a
special trip into the city.
The midnight fireworks show, billed the biggest and best to date,
lasted 13 minutes and featured pyrotechnics displays off CBD
buildings, the bridge and
harborside locations.
The 4-million-Australia-dollar (3.2-million-US-dollar) festivities
were dubbed "a Diamond Night in the Emerald City".
At another favorite end-of-year venue, Bondi Beach, Peter Djordjevic,
21, was escorting a group of 15 female friends to the Shore Thing
dance party.
"I'm in Bondi because it's the quintessential Australian New Year's
Eve - sand, surf and nice chicks, that's what it's all about."
In her New Year's Eve message, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said
the city could make a shared commitment to strengthening the
community and extending
goodwill and optimism into 2007.
"Today we are truly part of the one global village and I hope we can
also remember those who do not share our great good fortune in
living in this peaceful, lucky country," Moore said.
Police were forced to turn away revelers who arrived at city
locations after 9 p.m. when the foreshore venues reached capacity.
Police arrested 12 people for offensive conduct, stealing, assault,
drink driving and affray during the festivities.
Across Sydney ambulance officers received more than 330 calls for
assistance
before midnight.
Top |
News |
|
