STORY:
Huge Crowds Expected In New Zealand Beach Towne

Small New Plymouth staging skydives, scrabble tournaments, volcanic eruptions for the masses

The tiny town of New Plymouth on the north island of New Zealand is preparing to host more people for any one single event quite possibly in its history. Already, 142 events ranging from the world's first Year 2000 skydive, an international 2K scrabble tournament to a simulated volcanic eruption are being planned to attract a thousands of tourists to Taranaki 2000, the city's official millennium event.

How New Plymouth is handling its New Year's Eve party preps is indicative of how many small towns in New Zealand are preparing to accommodate tourists wanting to be the first to celebrate the Year 2000 on Earth. Because of its proximity to the International Dateline, New Zealand is the first major country to celebrate New Year's Eve.

Many of the city's pubs have applied for special permission to server alcohol all night long. That's prompting the police department to ask for more temporary jail space to handle all the extra drunks. All city employees will be working including every public transportation vehicle.

Events being planned include the worlds first Year 2000 skydive, a simulated volcanic eruption at Fanthams Peak, and International 2K scrabble tournament at Bell Block, a big street party at Kaponga and sunrise at Matemateonga Walkway. A "Bowl of Brooklands" rock concert will feature top New Zealand rock and Celtic bands. There will also be a family carnival at Oakura Beach and a water based event featuring Westgate tugs at Ngamotu Beach.

Television One wants to feature a first sunrise from Mt. Taranaki as part of its 30-hour nationwide coverage of New Year's Eve. The sun will rise at New Plymouth at 6:01am some twenty minutes after it rises in Gisborne to the north.

DATE: 07/28/99

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