Fireworks to make Rotorua GLO on New Year’s Eve

Rotorua is set to celebrate the end of 2012 with the biggest fireworks display ever seen in the city.

As well as the traditional display at midnight on New Year’s Eve, there will be an earlier display at the end of the city’s family-friendly show ‘GLO Party in the Park’.

“Fireworks are always a popular attraction for people of all ages,” says Martin Croft, events manager for Rotorua District Council’s events unit, Events & Venues Rotorua.

“This year locals and visitors alike will be treated to more than ever with the Rotorua GLO Festival providing the biggest night of fireworks Rotorua has ever staged.”

“The midnight display to end 2012 and bring in the New Year will be special. But we realise not everyone can stay up that late so we’ve arranged a smaller display for around 9pm.”

The best place to watch both shows will be from the Lakefront but organisers are confident that those wanting to watch from outside of the city centre will also get a great view. The main firing platform has been moved further out into the lake this year to make viewing easier for people watching from various points around Lake Rotorua.

Livewire Productions has planned and delivered fireworks displays for Rotorua’s New Year’s Eve celebrations for the past two years but they say this year’s show would be a step up from what has been seen previously.

Livewire Productions director Tony Mamfredos said there be many “wow moments” during the display.

“This year’s show will see fireworks fired from several platforms which will layer the sky at all levels with colour and light,” he said.

Highlights will include fireworks that explode when hitting the water instead of in the air, and a spectacular finale which will conclude with a number of huge pyrotechnic fireballs launched from 250 metres offshore.

The new three day Rotorua GLO Festival has replaced the Mardi Gras, a concert usually held at the Lakefront on New Year’s Eve. GLO kicks off on 30 December and features a variety of activities and events to suit all interests.

Rotorua District Council events coordinator Kylie Gunn says the new festival has been created with families in mind.

“GLO offers a range of activities for all ages and cultures, allowing visitors and our local Rotorua community and businesses to celebrate together.

“On Sunday [30 December] Tutanekai Street will be taken over by an innovative event called ‘Buskers & Bazaar’, a lively street fair where people will get the chance to vote for their favourite street entertainer.”

“On New Year’s Eve we’ll be at the Lakefront from 6pm for ‘Party at the Park’ but we also have an over 18s ‘Street Party’ for grown-ups in the ‘Heart of Tutanekai Street’ zone from 8pm.

“New Year’s Day takes us back down to the Lakefront for the ‘1st Big Brunch’ where people can enjoy a picnic and entertainment, and have the chance to win prizes worth up to $2,500.”

The Rotorua GLO Festival has been supported by a large number of national and local organisations including Rotorua District Council, Rotorua Daily Post, Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, New Zealand Community Trust, First Sovereign, The Southern Trust, The Radio Network and Hennessy’s bar

More information on all activities and events during GLO are on www.rotoruaglofestival.co.nz or www.Facebook.com/RotoruaGloFestival.

Mr Croft said the role of Events and Venues Rotorua was to attract, deliver and support top-quality events which can be experienced by locals and visitors alike.

He said individual and festival events like the GLO Festival make a significant contribution to the local economy and to Rotorua locals’ quality of life.

“Events attract visitors to Rotorua, who spend money on food, accommodation and other activities. Just as important, events like these make a real contribution to local communities’ lifestyle, providing quality activities for Rotorua’s residents to experience and enjoy.”

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