With 2025 just around the corner, the City of Brantford is planning to ring in the New Year with its annual New Year’s Eve celebration at the Sanderson Centre and Harmony Square.
Jennifer Middleton, Special Events Supervisor for the City of Brantford, said there are plenty of free activities planned for the big evening.
“We have something new this year which is the free DJ skate party in Harmony Square. That starts at 7:00 p.m. so you can come on down and lace up your skates, or you can just come and enjoy the music,” said Middleton. “That event is actually sponsored by Rangoli Indian Restaurant and Bar and so they’re going to be on site handing out free samosas, spring rolls and chai tea, while supplies last of course. They’re also going to be doing free gift card giveaways for dinner for two and I think it’s just an awesome addition to the overall event.”
For the concert over at the Sanderson Centre, doors will open at 8:00 p.m. and residents will be able to head inside to mingle, have their picture taken at the photo booth, purchase refreshments and grab their seats.
“The first 200 people in the door will get a light-up horn shaped headband, and then opening remarks will kick off at 8:50 p.m.” said Middleton. “The first band, Freeloader, comes on at 9:00 p.m., and then our headliner is an AC/DC tribute band called Hell N Back and they should be on just after 10:00 p.m.”
With Freeloader being known for playing hits from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Black Sabbath, Incubus, Rush, Peter Gabriel, Soundgarden and Led Zeppelin, and Hell N Back playing AC/DC crowd favourites, this year’s line up is all rock.
After the concert ends around 11:30 p.m., residents can grab their free noise makers as they make their way out the door and head over to Harmony Square to grab hot chocolate and continue the rest of the festivities
“Last year we had a huge amount of people on the streets so this year, both Dalhousie Street and Colborne Street will actually be closed at that time just to accommodate everyone,” said Middleton. “As always, everybody piles into Harmony Square for the big countdown to midnight and then we all ring in the New Year together with the ball drop and our amazing firework display presented by TD Bank Group.”
Overall, the City’s Event Supervisor said she can’t wait for the event and that personally, her favourite part of the night is getting the chance to celebrate with the community.
“This is an event I always really look forward to and I’m really excited to be putting on another great New Year’s celebration. Who doesn’t love free skating, free music and a fantastic firework show that somehow just gets better year after year?” she said. “I love ringing in the New Year with the community, especially the people that are at all our events. It’s just so awesome to be able to give them a big hug and wish them all the best for the coming year.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
