Happy New Year Everyone!

It's a new year in Cape Breton and there is so much to look forward to. This time last year I was saying good riddance to a terrible 2014 but I can look at 2015 with real positivity, and much promise for 2016. We can't predict the hand we are dealt any year no matter how positive of an attitude you put out there, but don't make things harder on yourself than they have to be.

I want to talk about last night's New Years event in Sydney. I figured it had the potential to be popular despite it being the winter. There was a lot of promotion out there and the lure of free activities. I wasn't altogether sure of what the atmosphere would be or how successful it really would be. When I arrived at the far end of the boardwalk I made a remark that I hoped that the snow was removed.

What I witnessed was pure magic. Music, people, food, recreation. It was by far the busiest that I have ever seen downtown Sydney - by leaps and bounds. So what made it so successful? There were a number of factors.

First, accessibility. This had a number of free activities. Free rides, concerts, popcorn, cotton candy. The lineups were massive, but everyone seemed so happy. Transit seemed to work really well. Everything was centralized to create a great experience. The only critical thing I would have to say is that the flow of people had me concerned a few times. people clamoured over barriers to get to the rides. The boardwalk being so narrow had me concerned that someone might fall into the icy water. But overall I was very impressed.

Family activities were important. I think a lot of families look for activities on New Years Eve and find very few things they can do. This event was packed full of activities. Sledding, making snowmen, Ferris wheel, carousel. It was great seeing kids active and families participating.

It was a great night for music, with much variety. There wasn't just music for youth or music for older people. There was something for everyone and it really showed that the organizers put a lot of effort into ensuring everyone would be happy.

So what is the legacy of this event? It would be great to see it again next year. This, in my opinion, was the most important event of the year. It got people to come to downtown Sydney even though much of downtown was closed. It established the boardwalk as a focal point for activities, which will drive the future prosperity of the downtown core. I still don't see it as an intuitive recreational area ( I didn't even know it existed for the first few years I've lived here) as there isn't a great deal of open space but it worked so well for this event and it is what we have to work with.  It must have been a bit pricey to put on, but perhaps it is sustainable and not something that is a one-off.

It was a great way to kick off the new year, and I feel 2016 will be a good one. If you weren't there you were missing out!

Chris Bellemore is a blogger from Ontario that moved to Cape Breton Island and is logging his experiences in this strange and wonderful place.

Me:
https://www.facebook.com/chris.bellemore