NYE record sparks a Taste for more

NEXT year’s New Year’s Eve at the Taste is predicted to be biggest ever, after this year’s event attracted the strongest numbers for five years.

Just under 5000 — 4800 to be precise — descended on the Taste of Tasmania for its “Midsummer Night’s Eve” which festival director Brooke Webb said was almost an increase of about 1400 on last year.

“We had a total of 4800 on site, which is a record,” she said. “It’s the strongest number we have had in five years.”

The strong ticket sales, and the $70,000 fireworks program had Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey counting down the days until next year’s edition.

“[It was] sensational, every single person was happy, safe and having a good time,” she said.

“I think the Hobart City Council has put great faith in Brooke and she has delivered in spades.

“Next year is the 30th edition of the Taste and I just can’t wait to see what she has to deliver.”

While some were resting their tired heads yesterday, others took advantage of a massive line-up of entertainment to maybe get one more day of the Taste in before they have to go back to work.

Ms Webb said she hoped that the increased entertainment, with four stages operating, would draw people looking to keep the party going down to the waterfront.

“It’s a real opportunity for people to finish reconnecting after this summer and Christmas period,” Ms Webb said.

Today will be the penultimate day of the Taste and Ald Hickey was hopeful the event would finish with a bang.

“For every dollar spent, it’s a four-dollar, a five-dollar spend in real terms, so that is a really good return for Tasmania and the businesses of Hobart,” she said.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to see these businesses.”

For those parents who have to look after the children, the free Kids in the Park will have a distinctly acrobatic theme.

A Circus Extravaganza (11am to 1pm) and an Acrobatics workshop (2.30pm to 3.15pm) will give kids a taste of circus life as part of a packed schedule of events.

We had a total of 4800 on site, which is a record. It’s the strongest number we have had in five years.

Festival director BROOKE WEBB