STORY:
Sydney Unveils Party Plans

Huge fireworks display and floating parade are highlights

Sydney will ring in 2000 with a grand 25-minute pyrotechnic display twice as big as last year's and a floating parade of illuminated barges and sea vessels.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, thousands of spectator craft and up to 300 charter vessels are expected to cram the harbour for what is expected to be the largest New Year's Eve celebrations ever held on the harbour.

An exclusion zone, twice the size of last year's, has been set up around a minimum of four fireworks barges anchored west and east of the Harbour Bridge. It will be in effect from 9pm until 1am.

West of the harbour, a fireworks barge will be moored near Birkenhead Point and another at the entrance to Darling Harbour, and two east of the bridge at Farm Cove and Rushcutters Bay.

This year, Sydney will herald the new year with a bigger midnight fireworks display. At this stage, there will be no official city fireworks at 9pm, although there may be separate but small displays at Darling Harbour and Pyrmont Point.

Between 9pm and midnight, new year's revelers flocking to harbourside locations will be entertained by a passing parade, led by a series of 35 illuminated barges carrying inflatable sea creatures.

According to the Herald, Captain Cook Cruises expects to have 12 vessels plying the harbour, with places on all but one vessel sold out. The charter operator says it has not set prices for the last of its seats but previous tickets sold for between $250 and $1,200.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

DATE: 6/21/99

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