Around 40,000 people are expected to attend the New Year’s Eve celebrations in St Ives, as the event has been shortlisted for a national award.
St Ives Business Improvement District (BID) said it was the third largest street party in the UK, after London and Edinburgh, and has been named a finalist in the National BID Awards for Best Event of the Year.
Extra police, street marshals and ambulance crews will be on hand to help ensure the celebrations are safe.
Mayor Johnnie Wells was quoted by the BBC saying the event could be a “victim of its own success” but that limiting numbers “just wouldn’t work”.
He added that New Year’s Eve is the most important event for the town’s economy.
“This summer had patchy results and Christmas week is usually around 75% booked, but New Year is always completely full,” he said.
“St Ives is blessed with a lot of things but space is not one of them and that brings some challenges. We do our best to make the event safe with extra police, street closures, marshals and St John Ambulance on hand.”
Fireworks were launched from Smeaton’s Pier at last year’s event, with crowds gathering along the harbour front to watch. Fancy dress plays a major part in the celebrations, with partygoers often seen in colourful costumes, including Mexican hats and ponchos, and even animal outfits.
BID said: “We’re also incredibly proud to share that New Year’s Eve in St Ives has been named a finalist at the National BID Awards for Best Event of the Year – a fantastic recognition of the hard work, collaboration, and passion that goes into delivering this unforgettable night.”
