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NEW YEAR 2004 FIREWORKS

Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:43 am
by AussieMark
Revealed: how Harbour Bridge will look on NYE

Image

IT was sneakily scheduled for a time when most Sydneysiders were safely tucked away in bed.

But the sleepless and those straggling home in the early hours were treated yesterday to a sneak preview of the Harbour Bridge staging a spectacular light show.

The surprise performance, a colourful preview of what Sydney can expect on New Year's Eve, took place at 4am.

Onlookers watched for an hour as the Bridge was bathed in a kaleidoscope of light and became a metallic rainbow.

The structure repeatedly strobed white light across the Harbour before its girders lit up and powerful lights were beamed across the city.

It will be the centrepiece for Sydney's New Year's Eve City of Lights celebrations, which will see more than 1000 lights illuminate 16 landmarks.

Other buildings to get the light treatment include State Parliament, the State Library, the Queen Victoria building, Hyde Park Barracks and Sydney Town Hall.

With hundreds of thousands expected to cram the Harbour foreshore to witness the light show, transport authorities yesterday put out this message – leave home early.

State Transit spokesman Allan Yates said people should leave their cars at home and use public transport as many CBD roads would be closed.

"If you start planning your journey now and leave early on the night, you can avoid the worst of the congestion," Mr Yates said.

"There will be extra services so people can get to and from the city." CityRail passengers will not be able to access Circular Quay station between 8pm and 1am and must travel to Wynyard, St James or Martin Place and walk.

Sydney Buses will offer a special unlimited travel ticket on its buses, costing $6 for adults and $3 for a child/concession.

Sydney Ferries services will stop from mid-afternoon but limited runs will resume from 12.30am at Circular Quay.

After the midnight fireworks, Sydney Buses will leave from Hyde Park, Castlereagh St, Park St and Wynyard stations.

CityRail will operate services until 3am on New Years Day and then limited services until 5am at which time the weekend timetable will operate.

Almost 600,000 people are expected to travel by train on New Years Eve.

Revellers planning to head into the city on NYE can visit the Transport infoline website at http://www.131500.com.au or call 131 500.

Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 11:01 am
by coriolis
Cool, Mark. I'm sure we can see it on TV.

Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 11:18 am
by wx247
That looks awesome. ;)

Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 11:37 am
by JCT777
Excellent! Can't wait to celebrate the New Year. :)

Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:57 pm
by AussieMark
I can't wait i always watch the fireworks on TV.

Does anyone know what any of the Major American Cities are doing for it.

Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 12:45 am
by ColdFront77
Mark, the New York City New Year's Eve Celebration is a big deal.

Boston, Massachusetts is having their 28th Annual "First Night's" -- it is one of the oldest in the U.S.

Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 1:11 am
by David
I'm gonna watch the ball drop again this year. :D

Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 4:02 am
by AussieMark
i mean do u guys know what the display is going to be.

Like what i have shown with the article where it has being unveiled.

Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 4:47 am
by ColdFront77
Sorry, Mark. I know that many cities across the United States have at least fireworks.

Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 6:00 pm
by AussieMark
but no details have being disclosed as of yet.

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 11:50 am
by TexasStooge
Hey Mark, I just saw the Aussie fireworks on the news this morning, they're fabulous! I wonder if Dallas is gonna top that...

Anyways, Happy New Year!

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 11:52 am
by GalvestonDuck
Galveston has fireworks...not that you guys could see them on TV.

Somewhere in Louisiana on I-10, some short time after I crossed over the Atchafalaya Swamps, I saw fireworks. Couldn't figure out what the occasion was since it was Saturday night. It was nice though. :)

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 11:53 am
by wx247
Yes.. like Stooge I also saw the fireworks. That was the most spectacular display I have ever seen on tv. Wow!

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 9:48 pm
by AussieMark
It just looks perfect. I may be biased but there is no other place in the world that looks this stunning.

Fireworks coming off the bridge and the Opera house as well as barges stationed in the harbor and the lazer lights show and the fact that Sydney Harbor is the backdrop is what makes this so perfect.

The American ones are nice and i am biased but the Sydney ones are my favourites.

Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 12:13 pm
by TexasStooge
Oh, and the Las Colinas area of Irving has shown some fireworks here too.