Organisers of a New Year's Eve party at Fort St. Catherine's Beach say they hope to provide a family friendly environment with plenty of spectacle.

Former St. George's Mayor E. Michael Jones announced yesterday that along with bonfires and Chinese sky lanterns, the event will feature a performance by RockFire, a local fire spinning group.

"It should be really great," Mr. Jones said. "They will be dancing on the sand and in the water. It will be an amazing experience.

"We're also aiming to have a sandcastle-building contest and a tug of war."

He also said that if anyone is bold enough to take a midnight swim, they will earn a certificate for their discomfort.

He hopes the East End party will offer an alternative to the parties in Hamilton.

"I think we're aiming to do something different up here," he said. "We're looking for a family atmosphere."

"We're going to have a lot there to fill up the time. There will always be something going on."

Mr. Jones also said that the photography contest announced alongside the party has been generating excitement.

Both amateur and professional photographers are being asked to submit seven photographs taken in St. George's Parish from Christmas Day to New Year's Eve.

While contest winners will take home prizes like a weekend stay in a local hotel, all entrants will get at least one picture displayed at bermudasizzle.bm.

"We've already had quite a lot of interest," said Mr. Jones. "It's going to be really, really fun."