Old Year’s parties popular

After the trials of 2018, Barbadians have spared no expense to welcome the New Year on a high note and in style with friends and family.

The Hilton Resort’s annual New Year’s Eve party is fully booked, according to management. Tickets for the event, themed Spellbound: a Night Under the Stars and including a buffet, premium beverages and performances from Elan Trotman and Friends, went for $350.

Other all-inclusive events such as Elevate Suit & Tie have reported “good bookings” for the luxury premium event which will be held at the Bellevue Plantation for the first time. The event, priced at $200 for females and $220 for males, will have as its theme, Winterfell.

Director of Elevate Event, Dario Burgess told Barbados TODAY that his team was expecting close to 1,300 to attend the celebrations.

“Patrons are pretty last minute when it comes to land events but we try to create as much value as possible for the $220, because this year along with the premium drinks . . . we also added finger foods,” he said.

Burgess noted that despite the economic straits, the event had a devoted following because of their “execution, value for money and the vibe”.

Marketing manager of Nikki Beach Barbados, Marie-Claire Holthuizen, revealed that pre-sale and VIP tickets for their New Year’s Eve event, titled Tropical Glamour, were sold out. The pre-sale tickets were priced at $200 with two complimentary drinks, while VIPs will be treated to a lavish five-course dinner.

The Port Ferdinand, St Peter luxury beach club is expecting 450 people to be in attendance to ring in 2019. Patrons will experience live performances by Ibiza-based singer Natalie Page, world-renowned violinist Julio Cuba, resident saxophonist Akeem Burke, local DJ 2lrie and international DJ Ismael Garcia. There will also be dance performances throughout the night, including acrobatics, fire and aerial shows.

“Everyone is super excited. Everybody is great for 2019. The phone has been ringing off the hook today. Everybody is calling trying to get last minute tickets to celebrate,” said Holthuizen.

Meanwhile, hotels like the Radisson Aquatica were offering a night of delectable dishes under the fireworks for their guests.

“We’ve had a good response,” said Janelle Pattifte, sales and events executive, as she revealed that the hotel was catering for 145 to 150 persons priced at $250 per head.

“It will not be the traditional buffet dinner that they would have [and] it will be festive.”

Although First Light does not fall in the category of New Year’s Eve events since it commences at 2 a.m. on New Year’s day, the cooler fete has become a staple on the Barbadian calendar, with thousands flocking to see the year’s first sunrise.

Annually held in the eastern parish of St Philip, the event has been moved to Rockfield, St Lucy this year.

When Barbados TODAY contacted managing director of Limerz Cruise, Chris John, he disclosed that 90 per cent of tickets valued at $100 were sold and they were expecting more than 3 000 patrons to be heading to the north.

“We are very excited about this new venue and I think the patrons are going to be extremely blown away when they see the set up and location this year,” he commented.