Bathurst Regional Council has budgeted $7400 for its annual Party in the Park at the Adventure Playground.

However, that’s little league stuff when you consider Orange City Council has managed to do a deal to bankroll its event to the tune of $30,000.

And that’s great value for money for their residents, according to Orange mayor John Davis.

Likewise, Bathurst mayor Gary Rush believes the family-friendly event is a winner and $7400 will go a long way towards a fireworks display everyone will remember.

“I don’t know of one person who has attended our party who hasn’t gone away having had a great family night out. It’s one of our most enjoyed community events,” Cr Rush said.

“It was a great initiative of former mayor Paul Toole, who kicked it off back in 2009, combining the grand opening of the Adventure Playground with a New Year’s Eve event.”

Orange’s Cr Davis said their New Year’s Eve function is only in its infancy.

“I have to admit that Bathurst did blaze the way and we had a void to fill for entertainment on New Year’s Eve,” he said.

“Initially we looked into running it ourselves, but the figures to get a specialist sub-contractor in were $50,000 or $60,000, which was way too dear.

“Then we came up with a business proposition and teamed up with McCormack Barber Real Estate to promote it and came up with the $30,000 figure, which we believe is great value at half the cost of the original estimates.”

Cr Davis said there is always good rivalry between Bathurst and Orange.

“I am sure the Bathurst event will be a cracker and they set the standard,” he said.