Plans have been unveiled for a New Year’s Eve block party on Court Street.

The event, which has been organised as part of a drive to revitalise North Hamilton and promote community engagement, has the support of the Bermuda Government, the Corporation of Hamilton, the Young Progressives and local businesses, residents and MPs.

Eugene Dean was joined by Craig Cannonier, the Minister of Public Works; Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton; and Michael Weeks, the Progressive Labour Party spokesman on community affairs, as details of the event were outlined.

“This has very much been a collaborative effort to bring about economic stimulus to this area,” Mr Dean said.

“The biggest thing we are pleased about is to get all these stakeholders around the table.

“It’s important to set this example of unity and it will have great rewards for North Hamilton and for the country as a whole.”

Mr Dean revealed that the block party had been inspired by the recent North Hamilton walkabout conducted by the Governor, George Fergusson.

He urged members of the public to attend and said he hoped that it would be the first a series of events to take place in North Hamilton.

Mr Cannonier said: “It is important that we are seen to work together for the betterment of the Corporation and send a message to the rest of the Island that we can work together on something wonderful. I am excited about this opportunity and that North Hamilton will be a feature of the New Year’s Eve celebrations.”

Mr Weeks added: “It is time to get rid of this idea of two Bermudas. I hope this is not just a one-off so that we as a community can see there is a lot more to North Hamilton than meets the eye.

“I look forward to seeing the onion drop in North Hamilton.”

The “Uptown New Year’s Eve Block Party” will take place on December 31 from 9pm until 1am.

Court Street will be closed between Ewing Street and Victoria Street for the duration of the event and restaurants and bars in the area will remain open during the evening.

Mr Dean added: “A big screen will be erected at the entrance to Victoria Street and a fun zone will be created in EF Gordon Square.

“There are so many bars, restaurants and take always on Court Street so we have not had to go outside to provide food and drink.

“We would ask the public to maintain their drinking activities inside these establishments and not on the street.”