The number of people allowed into Orange's New Year's Eve laser show party at Wade Park has been cut due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Organisers have announced ticket sales for Thursday night's event will be limited to 3000, a reduction from the previous level of 4000 tickets.
However, a livestream broadcast of the event will be available for people to watch on YouTube from 8.30pm.
It is not weather-dependent. It will definitely go ahead.
- Holly Manning, Light Up Orange
Light Up Orange committee member Holly Manning said tickets, costing $5 each with children under three for free, would be available for sale until 5pm on the event day.
"There's still tickets available. It is not weather-dependent. It will definitely go ahead," she said.
The changes to the Orange event come as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told people on Monday to stay away from the Sydney CBD fireworks show on New Year's Eve due to the coronavirus situation in Sydney.
"My strong message to everyone this year is to watch the fireworks on TV," she said.
And frontline workers from across NSW will also not be able to attend the fireworks after a special CBD vantage point offering for them was cancelled.
Frontline workers will be offered another opportunity in 2021.
"It's too much of a health risk having people from the regions and from Sydney and from broader regional areas congregate all in the CBD," she said.
Light Up Orange Organiser Craig McMahon said the livestream would allow all the community to see the event.
"Kennards Hire, Orange City Council and Newcrest Mining in particular were keen to see this happen so the whole community had the opportunity to take part in the event," he said.
"Many of those in our community don't have the ability to attend the event in person. They may be incapacitated, in hospital or nursing homes, or they just don't feel comfortable attending public gatherings right now. The live broadcast won't be the same as attending the actual event, but it's better than missing out altogether."
The live broadcast will be captured with multiple cameras as well as a camera drone through EyeTrix Productions.
EyeTrix's Troy Pearson said livestreaming would "give everyone the chance to experience the big night."
It is an alcohol-free event and pets are not allowed.
People attending are advised to bring a camping chair, picnic rug, lawn games, hat and sunscreen.
Sealed plastic bottled water up to 1.5 litres can be brought and food and drinks will be sold at the venue.
The event replaces previous fireworks shows at Waratah sports ground.
HAVE YOUR SAY
- Send us a letter to the editor using the form below ...