More program details are set to be released at the end of November for the New Year’s Eve celebration. (Allison Devereaux/CBC)
A committee overseeing the biggest annual New Year’s Eve celebrations in London, Ont. has announced their title sponsor for 2023, putting aside fears that the event would have to be cancelled.
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has stepped up to the role. In September, WSIB announced its plans to relocate its head office from Toronto to London’s former 3M building, a move that is expected to generate at least 2,000 local jobs.
“When we saw the call for a title sponsor for New Year’s Eve in the Park we knew this was the right thing to do,” said Jeff Lang, president and CEO of the WSIB. “It’s so important for people to have safe, free events like this where they can celebrate and have fun. I can’t think of a better way to contribute to our community than helping to ensure this event continues.”
The title sponsor was desperately needed, said Marcus Plowright, chair of the planning committee for New Year’s Eve in the Park. He put the call out to the media a week ago.
“The president of WSIB is a Londoner and happened to see the report. He’s bringing WSIB to our city. It means thousands of jobs for our city and he thought this was an excellent way to give back to the community that he’s now investing in,” said Plowright.
It’s too soon to reveal the lineup of artists, however Plowright said they would be entirely local, as they have been for the past seven years. A diverse range of opening acts will take to the stage from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. to perform music geared to kids.
Musicians deemed to be the best will assemble the London All Star Band to play popular songs and carry the show into the final 10 minutes of the year.
There will be two identical sets of fireworks, with one at 9 p.m. for kids going to bed early and another taking place at midnight.
The event is expected to draw in a crowd of at least 20,000, said Plowright, in part because it is free fun for the whole family – cold weather notwithstanding.
“We pulled this off four years ago when it was minus 30 degrees and people had a blast,” he said. “You would be amazed how warm you are when you’re dancing and having fun.”
More program details are set to be released at the end of November.