A novel highlight to the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Maitland this year will be the opportunity for people to write their resolutions – for all to see.
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Families are invited to the Maitland riverbank to take part in this special event and several hundred people are expected to join in.
The idea comes from Maitland City Council staff.
Metre-high words will read: “In 2015, I will ...”
The public will then have the opportunity to fill in their intentions at a special installation on the riverbank.
The resolutions will be held for the whole of January, so people can revisit the site and recall their intentions.
“This will be a good opportunity for adults and children to express what they want to do in 2015,” council marketing and communications manager Rachel MacLucas said.
“It will be part of our New Year’s Eve celebrations along the Maitland river front.
“This idea was new to us and I haven’t heard of it happening anywhere else.
“Hopefully, by writing something down in this way, people might feel more committed.”
Council staff will be on hand to monitor the situation.
“We don’t want to censor anything, but just make sure things are running smoothly,” Ms MacLucas said.
Those unable to attend can still have their new year’s resolution added to the installation by using the Twitter or Facebook hash tag #in2015iwill on the night.
About 8000 people are expected to be along the riverbank, with the fireworks display kicking off at 9pm.
“Festivities will start from 5.30pm with plenty of family-friendly activities including face-painting and balloon sculpting, along with amusements such as a giant slide, tea cups, bungee trampoline, a rock climbing wall and extreme bounce jumping castle,” council events co-ordinator Adam Franks said.
“The kids’ disco starts at 6pm, along with plenty of other family-friendly entertainment including The Do riders and the Paterson Plukestra.”
Visitors to the riverbank are only permitted to take small amounts of alcohol into the precinct and the alcohol-free zone will be reinstated and enforced from 9.30pm.
Council has warned that drunken or antisocial behaviour would not be tolerated.
