After a year full of uncertainty and no shortage of challenges, it is time to say farewell to 2020 and bring in the new year.
Townsville City Council will be hosting two events on New Year’s Eve with a family-friendly firework display at Riverway Stadium along with a kids’ movie and food trucks, and a show-stopping midnight fireworks display on The Strand.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said she was looking forward to ending the year in a more traditional way, following a year of change and upheaval.
“Thanks to COVID-19, 2020 has been a year of challenges and difficulties that no-one had been quite prepared for,” Cr Hill said.
“COVID restrictions impacted our ability to plan and deliver on many of our usual events throughout the year, and I’m glad Council can bring to life traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks displays to celebrate the end of the year.
“I’m looking forward to seeing our community come together – in a COVID safe way – to bid 2020 goodbye and enjoy some normality for the night.”
Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said COVID-19 measures would be in place at both venues.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting New Year’s celebrations for residents, but it is important that anyone attending still follows the COVID-19 precautions,” Cr Greaney said.
“Anyone planning on attending at either Riverway or The Strand should plan around COVID-19, try to arrive early if you can and secure a spot at least 1.5m away from other families and attendees.
“We also ask that if you are feeling unwell or showing any symptoms of COVID, please be courteous to the community and stay home.”
The event at Riverway Stadium will commence at 5pm, with food trucks available and a screening of Toy Story 4 at 6.15pm before the fireworks display at 8pm.
The fireworks display on The Strand will begin at midnight.
