Big plans for fireworks show

The Urban Development Corporation's (UDC) Fireworks on the Waterfront show, organised annually to ring in the New Year, will host the first anniversary of the UNESCO designation of Kingston as a Creative Music City, as a central motif this year.

The corporation is in advanced planning mode for the 15th staging of the fireworks spectacular, which will be held under the theme Come Celebrate Good Times! The inclusion of the December 2015 UNESCO Creative City designation is expected to add a new dimension to celebrations as tribute will be paid to the roots and fruits of Jamaica's music.

"This is a very significant designation which bears many untapped economic benefits for the city and the country, by extension. It is a really a major achievement and something we wish to publicise widely and celebrate vigorously. Because of this, we have decided to couple it with Fireworks on the Waterfront, which can be deemed the standard-bearer for local New Year's Eve celebrations," explained Lorna Clarke, director of corporate communications at the UDC.

The event has grown to be Jamaica's largest free family-oriented show and has drawn people from all walks of life with a desire to welcome the New Year in a sensational way. Last year, the show attracted more than 300,000 people on-site and had extensive television viewership locally and internationally.

MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES

Activities are slated to start at 2 p.m. on December 31 and will include a stage show, a kiddies' village with rides and other activities, and will culminate with the highly anticipated fireworks display at midnight.

UDC first staged the event in 1999 at the dawn of the 21st century. Since then, it has taken on a life of its own and is one of the many ways in which the corporation invests in Jamaica's sociocultural fabric in the downtown Kingston area. The event offers multiple opportunities for partnerships as the corporation promotes vendors and service providers. Persons seeking further information may visit the event page at www.udcja.com/fireworks or on Facebook at www.face

book.com/UDCFireworksontheWaterfront.