The Colour City lived up to its name as vibrant fireworks rocketed into the night sky to give 2016 the heave-ho and welcome in 2017 on New Year’s Eve.
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More than 3500 people oohed and aahed and gasped and smiled as firework after firework exploded over Waratahs in a flashy show of colour and excitement.
Many others stood at vantage points around north Orange to glimpse the sky spectacular.
Director Peter McCormack from event sponsor McCormack Barber Real Estate said he was delighted with the public response.
“Fantastic,” was how he described the show.
Mr McCormack said on Monday that while the official figures had not been confirmed he thought the crowds were slightly down on last year but there were plenty of people watching from outside the field.
“The event is for everyone. We’re doing it as a thank you for the community. The council is doing it on behalf of the ratepayers and all those people are ratepayers.”
Mr McCormack said the pre-fireworks entertainment was first class but there was always room to make improvements.
“We had by far the best talent as far as musicians go that we have in Orange.”
VIDEO: Orange's New Year's Eve fireworks:
He said the organising committee would be looking to sign more sponsors for the 2017 show to attract even better talent and rides that would encourage more people to come to the event rather than watching from outside.
And he said the venue might have to change as the Waratahs site was about to become more residential intensive with 100 more houses due to be built nearby within the next year.
He said they could not have fireworks falling into backyards.
“I would love to have the same spot next year but it is something we will have to look at,” Mr McCormack said.