After a two-year absence, fireworks on the waterfront is back. The event is slated to generate excitement as the night sky will become an explosion of colours on December 31 as the country ushers in 2009.

Wayne Chen, chairman of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), yesterday urged Jamaicans to come out and support the event because it promises exciting activities to suit everyone.

Chen was speaking at the media launch of Fireworks on the Waterfront, held at Hotel Four Seasons on Ruthven Road in St Andrew. The event is being staged with a budget of $12 million.

Much-anticipated event

"It signals the return of the much-anticipated event on the national calendar," said Chen, noting that the fireworks affair would be his first official duty since being appointed chairman under two months ago.

The last staging was attended 100,000 persons. Numerous local and overseas visitors expressed great disappointment at the absence of the event, said the chairman.

Lenford Salmon, director of JAMBIZ International, charged with organising the entertainment package, promised a programme of activities for the "young, old, Christian" and every one else.

The entertainment package begins at 4 p.m. with a 'Kiddies Village' and continues until about 1 a.m. Several entertainers covering the genres of vintage, reggae, gospel and dancehall are booked for the show. The highlight of the show, the fireworks, will be conducted by Fireworks Explosive Limited, the same entity that provided the spectacular climax to the Beijing Olympic Celebrations at the National Arena in October.

Francis Kennedy, chairman of Kingston City Centre Improvement Company, is encouraging patrons to attend the event, which will be free of cost. He said the activity is geared to promote the process of redevelopment of downtown Kingston.

"We are encouraging the private sector to come on-board again," said Kennedy.

Four parking areas

The event will be facilitated with four designated parking areas and the police, as well as private companies providing security.

Fireworks on the Waterfront was cancelled in 2006 and last year, because of an outbreak of malaria in the Corporate Area, and in 2007, the city was still in recovery stages after being battered by Hurricane Dean in August.

The New Year's event forms part of the UDC's 40th-anniversary celebrations for 2009.

The state-owned agency was established by an act of Parliament in 1968 to make development happen in designated areas. One of these areas is the Kingston Waterfront, coincidentally, also home to the UDC's head office.