STORY:
Seattle's Fire Celebration Up in Smoke

Security concerns cancel plans for art burning New Year's Eve event

(Everything2000) It was a strange idea from the beginning. Make some paper mache and wooden sculptures then set them on fire for New Year’s Eve. The fire was to symbolize a release of hopes and dreams to the universe. Instead the entire event is up in smoke because of fear of security problems.

The fire ceremony was not the focus of Seatt le’s New Year’s Eve party but it was going to take place in the same area where the Space Needle is located. The Space Needle serves as a launching pad for the city’s fireworks show.

"I’ve had people suggest that this ceremony was an invitation to some people to take on some activity that was negative" Virginia Anderson, Seattle Center Director, told the Associated Press. "It’s sort of inciting bad behavior’.

One feature of the ceremony was the four dark horsemen sculptures which some were associating with th e Apocalypse. The event is going to be placed on hold and may still take place later in the year.

This is not the first problem Seattle has had with its New Year’s Eve plans. The city started out with grand ideas that continue to fizzle. Plans to light nine bridges in Seattle and four parks with multicolored lights burned out when enough funding didn’t come through. Only two bridges will be illuminated this New Year’s Eve.

The fireworks celebration at Seattle’s landmark Space Needle is now being bathed in security officers after a suspected terrorist was arrested in the state. Instead of an open gathering under the 605-foot structure, partygoers will be subject to searches and barricades will be put up around the area. The Seattle Police department will have 170 officers at the Space Needle to make sure everything is calm. That is 3 _ times more officers than usually stationed at the needle for New Year’s Eve.

Source: Associated Press

DATE: 12/23/99

For more E2000 stories, click here:
news | events | Y2K | today's news | life | party | stew

Marketplace
Books
Collectibles
Celebration Supplies
General Merchandise
Travel Packages