HERE’S CHEERS TO A VINTAGE NEW YEAR

Something for everyone as Cairns celebrates in fine style

FRIVOLITY burst out of each corner of Cairns last night as locals and tourists bounced from the basketball to the beach to farewell 2017. Thousands of revellers packed every inch of the Cairns Esplanade to catch a glimpse of fireworks and enjoy free entertainment to ring in the new year. A new format for the Cairns CBD celebrations is expected to be repeated this year after last night’s bumper crowds. Kelsey Ashe was among the many to raise a toast to 2018 at the Pier Bar.

FIFTEEN thousand revellers packed out the Cairns Esplanade to dance, dream, and be dazzled by fireworks as 2017 drew to a close.

Cairns Regional Council senior events officer Raine Davies said the revised New Year’s Eve celebrations were designed to give both locals and visitors the best of both worlds.

“We kept everything in Fogarty Park until 9pm for families and then moved everything onto the Western Events Lawn from 9pm onwards,” she said.

“We put on a DJ because we had a lot of teenagers last year who couldn’t get into the clubs come and enjoy the free entertainment, so we thought we’d put on a DJ to suit their generation.”

Local talent was put centre stage as Calvary Christian Church stepped in to assist with the celebrations for the first time.

Calvary Christian Church production worker Calen French said the New Year’s Eve performances at Fogarty Park were a big break for many local musicians.

“We’d seen a lot of these young performers busk in the city and to get them up on stage meant being able to give some of them their first gig on a big stage,” he said.

“For most of them it’s a big motivator to get their music out there in front of crowds.”

For young families the fes- tivities were a chance to gather together, reflect on 2017 and dream about the year to come.

Caravonica’s Rhianna McDonald, 12, took the time to talk about her hopes for 2018 with her family while she was ringing in the new year at the Esplanade.

“We’ve gone camping in the past but this year we’ve decided to come to the Esplanade to celebrate,” she said.

“It’s really about being with family.”

She said she had a very clear resolution to stick to for the year to come.

“I’m starting gymnastics, so that will be good. I did it when I was little, but only for a little bit, so I’m going to try to stick with it for the whole year,” she said.

Earlier in the night the Orange Army stormed the streets of Cairns in a rousing march towards the snake pit.

Last night was the first time the Cairns Taipans had played a New Year’s Eve home game since the fixture was changed mid-2016.

The sea of orange spilt onto the streets after the game, with Taipans fans ready to celebrate under the fireworks.

Picture: STEWART McLEAN STEPPING OUT: The Cairns Rock and Roll Dance Club danced 2017 away and welcomed the new year in style at the Machans Beach Community Hall. Dancers Brianna Dunigan, Lisa Camilleri, Laura McLeod, John Lizzio, Kellie Farnham and Nathan James were among...

Picture: BRENDAN RADKE ALL SMILES: Letitia Rooks, 7, with her mother Elli at the Fogarty Park festivities.

REFRESHING: Kath Gould, Bron Ludbrook and Bree Halil enjoy a cocktail at the Salt House as the sun goes down on 2017.

Picture: JUSTIN BRIERTY PARADE OF STARS: Taipans Cheerleaders including Maddie Devietti and Taipans Orange Army march from Fogarty Park to Cairns Convention Centre.

CELEBRATION: Melanie Pralas and Lorik Henry at Fogarty Park.

SNAKES ALIVE; Joshua Robertson, 13, Lucinda Robertson, 7, and Noah Robertson, 10, cheer on the Taipans

FAMILY AFFAIR; Mark Matthews, Dean Matthews and Amanda Matthews at the council's family celebrations in Fogarty Park.

Picture: JUSTIN BRIERTY SHIP SHAPE: Kiri Clark and Steven Capocchi raise their glasses for the New Year of 2018 at Cairns Marina.