A soulful New Year’s Eve celebration

SOUL singer Lisa Hunt is excited to ring in the New Year at Cherry Street Sports Club in Ballina on Tuesday night.

The US-born artist, who is known for performing crowd-pleasing Motown hits, said she has played at the venue previously and it’s always a great crowd.

“I play feel good, happy party music and New Year’s Eve is like party extra,” she said.

“Everybody’s pumped up and excited about the upcoming year and what’s waiting in the wings.”

Hunt was born in Brooklyn in New York City and moved to Sydney after marrying an Australian.

She lived in Byron Bay for 20 years before moving to the Gold Coast during the COVID-19 pandemic, but loves returning to the Northern Rivers region for gigs.

Other New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Shire include an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve Family Festival at Alstonville Showground from 4pm to 9pm, with rides, music and a fireworks display.

“The fireworks could be held anytime between 8.30pm and 9pm in case there’s heavy rain coming later, for example,” Alstonville Agricultural Society secretary Faye Wilson said.

There will also be a range of food stalls, including twisted potatoes, donuts, kebabs, gourmet sausages and Thai, Mexican and Spanish offerings.

Entry to the event costs $2 per person, and children under three are free.

“We try to keep prices at an affordable level for families,” Wilson said.

Popular Northern Rivers cover band Push will also perform modern and classic rock at Alstonville Plateau Bowls & Sports Club, which will also have views of the fireworks from the greens, from 9.30pm until late.

A courtesy bus will be available from 5pm.