UNLIKE most countdown events that start only at night, the Penang Golden New Year's Eve Countdown and George Town City Day Celebration 2012 (PG2012) will kick off in the afternoon with some serious dancing at the Esplanade.
The PG2012 Street Dance Competition from 2.30pm to 6pm will see 12 teams vying for the top three spots where the winners will receive a total of RM4,500 in cash prizes.
CreatiVision managing director Adelyn Lim, who is behind this year's countdown, said young talents, aged between 15 and 25 from as far as Kuala Lumpur, were slated to perform on the main stage.
She said the competition was specially organised by youngsters themselves for college youths to enable them to learn the ropes in event organising.
"Previously, there was only a concert but this year we have included a whole day of events before the countdown party," she said in an interview.
Lim urged the public to come and give their support to the participants as many gravity-defying hip-hop and breakdancing moves would be in store.
The much anticipated main event — the rock concert at night — will see top local acts like Azlan and the Typewriter, Sofazr, The Villanz, Alexis Chean, Aquila, V Voice and Bunkface perform.
"(Homegrown punk act) Bunkface is one of the hottest bands around and you can catch them in Penang for free," said Lim.
"Bunkface was the only Malaysian band that got invited to the 2010 MTV World Stage Live (where international acts Wonder Girls, Katy Perry and Tokio Hotel also performed).
"Azlan was formerly the lead singer of Meet Uncle Hussain, so it's going to be a really happening show," she said, adding that a mix of Tamil and Chinese numbers would also be performed that night.
The public can vote for their favourite artistes at www.facebook.com/creativision and win prizes.
More than 10,000 revellers are expected to attend the concert that night where a spectacular fireworks display featuring the latest designs will light up the sky at midnight.
Some 300 policemen and Federal Reserve Unit personnel will be on duty to ensure no untoward incident.
"We want everyone to have a good time, as there was no trouble in previous countdowns organised by the company, thanks to the vigilance of the enforcement officers," she said.
Lim added that they would also snap photos of revellers who litter and those who throw their rubbish into the bins as part of their 'Clean, Lean and Evergreen' campaign.
"The photos will be put up on a large screen and those who show a good example will be rewarded with vouchers," she said.
The public can also visit the sponsors' booths which offer lots of freebies and games while hawker stalls selling exotic food will be set up along King Street.
Motorists can park their cars at the Fort Cornwallis carpark but they must come early while the ferry service will be extended until 2am for those coming to the countdown.
Although the concert, hosted by radio station deejays KK and Myra from 988 and SuriaFM, only starts at 9pm, the countdown will start as early as 1pm with some 150 Rainbow Riders riding into town on their superbikes.
The PG2012 George Town City Day Heritage Ride convoy will be flagged off at Batu Kawan tomorrow and will be stopping at Suffolk House, Komtar, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, George Town World Heritage Incorporated office, Fort Cornwallis and City Hall.
The public will get the opportunity to take photos with the latest BMW, Harley-Davidson and Ducati superbikes including the rare BMW GS 1200, BMW GS 1200 Adventure and KTM- SMT990, when the owners park their 'babies' at the Esplanade from 6pm onwards before proceeding to the QE II restaurant, grill and bar on Church Street Pier at 10pm.
PG2012 is organised by CreatiVision D.C. Sdn Bhd and sponsored by mobile telecommunications company Celcom Axiata Bhd. It is supported by property developers Mah Sing Group Bhd and Equine Capital Bhd.
The Gurney is the official hotel while the event is endorsed by the state government and Penang Global Tourism. For details, call 019-2720999.
Source: The Star
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