Workmen carry out preparatory work yesterday for tonight's fireworks celebrations at the Kingston Waterfront. The event, which is free to everyone, is being staged with a budget of $12 million. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

At the stroke of midnight tonight, Jamaica will herald in 2009, bringing to an end a year that, for many, was marked by tough economic and social challenges.

But despite these difficulties, a number of events have been planned to celebrate the start of a new year.

Francis Kennedy, chairman of the Kingston City Centre Improvement Company, said yesterday that all was ready for tonight's staging of the much-anticipated fireworks on the Kingston Waterfront.

"Everything is in place and I hope we will have a safe one," Kennedy told The Gleaner.

The event, which is free to everyone, is being staged with a budget of $12 million. The last staging of fireworks on the waterfront was in 2005. A malaria outbreak in 2006 prevented the Urban Development Corporation from hosting the event; and the nation was still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Dean in 2007.

The last staging was attended by an estimated 100,000 people.

The entertainment package begins at 4 p.m. with a 'Kiddies Village' and continues until 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 at midnight by Fireworks Explosive Limited, the same entity that provided the spectacular climax to the Olympic celebrations at the National Arena in October.

20 minutes of fireworks

Kennedy said the fireworks display will run for 20 minutes.

In Clarendon, Bridge Palm Resort will be hosting its New Year's Eve party with champagne at midnight and party favours.

The Second City will come alive tonight with the Kiwanis Club of Montego Bay's grand New Year's Eve Ball and Dinner, at Verney House Hotel. Proceeds from this event are in aid of Kiwanis charities.

Meanwhile, all is set for the staging of the The Jamaica Pegasus hotel's annual New Year's Eve ball in New Kingston.

Sales going well

Prudence Simpson, director of sales and marketing at The Jamaica Pegasus, said yesterday that ticket sales were going very well.

"We are looking forward to having a grand night. It will be an all-inclusive party with champagne at midnight and party favours," said Simpson.

She also noted that the hotel was having special rates for tables of 10 persons and those who want to spend the night.

The Hilton Kingston hotel will also be ringing in the New Year with its ball.

Churches giving thanks

Churches across the island are expected to be packed with persons who will be giving thanks to the Creator for a new year.

Bishop Delford Davis, pastor of Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore, said his church will have a praise and celebration service tonight with an altar call for the unsaved.

"It's really a time for prayer and thanksgiving round about midnight," said Davis.

Davis said other churches will have water baptisms and candle-light service.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

Artistes for fireworks show

Some of the artistes who will be in attendance at Fireworks on the Waterfront include:

Elephant Man

Etana

George Nooks

Leroy Sibbles

Jimmy Riley

Tamlins

Voicemail

Christopher Martin

Cameal Davis