New Years Eve Party, 10pm to 12.30am, 31 December 1998, Cathedral Square

SummerTimes - Christchurch's biggest annual festival - will kick off on a high note with the cityís biggest New Years Eve Party in Cathedral Square. The event has marked the start of the festival for the past few years and attracts around 15,000 people throughout the evening.

This year’s party features two very talented Christchurch covers bands, Unlimited Speed Zone and The Fab Three. Both bands will perform a variety of high-energy pop and rock tunes to get the audience dancing and ready for the midnight celebrations. Just before the stroke of twelve the audience will be encouraged to join the countdown to midnight. The ringing of the Cathedral bells and a rendition of Auld Lang Syne will herald the start of 1999 before the party continues for another 30 minutes.

Alcohol isn’t permitted in Cathedral Square so the SummerTimes New Years Eve Party will provide a safe environment for family groups and friends to see in the start of a new year. Police and security will work closely together on the night to enforce the ban.

or check the website at www.summertimes.org.nz