Congratulations Boring Bay, for hosting the lamest NYE event I have ever attended.
I should have stayed home and watched paint dry rather than drive over from Lismore to partake of such a non-event.
If you were lacking the financial wherewithal to pay the exorbitant amount charged to enter the hotels and clubs, and being packed like sardines wasn’t appealing, the only other option was to wander the streets.
This we did, along with, by my estimate around 1,000 to 2,000 other people all looking for something engaging to do; dance, sing, watch performances etc.
All that was to be found was a solo muso playing on the beachfront, with a karaoke event nearby. Along Jonson Street was a small stage with a DJ which was in direct competition with the music from the Northern Hotel as this stage was located adjacent to the open windows of the hotel band room. The DJ stage seemed to fold up around 9.30pm.
All that remained was the ubiquitous night market in Railway Park with a grand total of around six to eight food stalls and a solitary musician. Not a coffee van in sight and no coffee to be had the entire length of Jonson Street. We didn’t stick around to see whether there were fireworks at midnight.
After all the accolades Byron receives for so many things, how disappointing that with our wealth of artistic talent living locally, Byron Council or whoever is responsible for planning such an event could come up with such a poor excuse for a celebration.
I’ve lived in the Northern Rivers for 27 years and remember the ‘good old NYE days’ of parades in the street with the Krishnas pulling their cart and colourful dance groups whirling to favourite musical accompaniments. Food stalls were in abundance with no shortage of entertainment along the main streets.
Is it a ‘family event’ now? Even the small percentage of families looked bored. Are we trying to keep people out of Byron on NYE? I certainly won’t be going back for the next one.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
