Lake Albert to be lit this New Year's Eve

Wagga will once again be the region’s premier New Year’s Eve destination with ‘Light the Lake’ promising a spectacular show on the shores of Lake Albert.

Event organiser Matt Luff from Colab Creative said this year’s event promised loads of entertainment on both sides of the lake.

“We’ve gone for a little bit bigger spend on fireworks, we’ve got amusements this year and we’ve gone to Ray Beddoe Park as well,” he said.

Kicking off at 5 pm on New Year’s Eve, the free family event will feature live music on the main stage at Apex Park and a DJ across the water on the western side of the lake at Ray Beddoe Park.

“There’ll be jumping castles and some bigger rides and then we’ve got a lot more roaming performances as well by the guys a Zana Aerial Dance Academy.”

The on-water fireworks display kicks off at a kid friendly 9:30 pm but Matt said it also worked for those planning to party in the new year elsewhere.

“It’s more of a family event so we’d rather put the money into the earlier parts of the night and then everyone can do what they want later,” he said.

“The lake is looking great, so there’s three different spots for pontoons for fireworks to go on.

“It’s definitely the biggest fireworks display in this region and the biggest area you can find to go to that’s this much spread out so we get a lot of people from out of town coming along.”

Colab Creative secured $56,000 from Wagga City Council to stage the event and Director of Community Janice Summerhayes said it was an important investment in bringing people together.

“It provides a place that’s safe [where] we can spread out around the lake to enjoy a variety of entertainment and obviously the big one with the fireworks at 9:30,” she said.

“It also gives opportunities for the economy in terms of funding creators to be part of that entertainment, part of tourism.

“Most importantly it brings our local communities together.”

She said that Lake Albert offered a unique location to celebrate.

“We have a huge five kilometre-around lake that people can spread out and find their own special spot to enjoy the night,” she explained.

“It is a wonderful natural asset to celebrate and to really embrace for this sort of event.”

Destination and Events Coordinator Kim Parker said it was great to see local events returning to pre-COVID numbers.

“It’s exciting to see events happening again in Wagga Wagga over the festive season and we’re anticipating a great crowd for Light the Lake,” she said.

“Colab Creative has done a great job programming the event and planning an afternoon and evening full of family-friendly activities and entertainment for all to enjoy.”

Light the Lake will be held from 5 pm to 10 pm on Saturday 31 December and families are encouraged to bring a rug or folding chairs and to stake out a spot by the lake.