By Versailles Dalessio, Staff Writer

At 12:00 a.m. the clock strikes and fireworks explode into the night sky, reflecting hundreds of colors off of the water. You look around and see hundreds of glowing faces in the crowd as you hear the steady crack of fireworks scattering like glitter. This site is full of many gazing expressions, moments of awe and smiling faces.

The biggest firework display in all of North Carolina took place on the waterfront of downtown Manteo on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Food vendors, children’s games, DJ Mixin’ Mike, a child’s ball drop, shopping and more was featured during the event popularly known as the “New Year in the New World.”

Billed as the largest show in North Carolina, approximately 1,200 to 1,400 people attended the event from 20 different states collectively, making up a good population of local community members and out-of-town visitors.

“The best way to come together is face to face. Whether it’s the music bringing folks out, or it’s a chance to just sit on the boardwalk and watch the fireworks together, I love seeing so many local folks who I’ve met over the last year,” the Town Manager of Manteo, James Ayers said. “Seeing them get together, give each other big hugs, say ‘Hey, I haven’t seen you,’ that community feeling is good.”

The event kicked off three years ago, and was led by a group of merchants who hoped to get both the community and visitors together during the offseason. The organizing committee consists of Tod Clissold, the engineer of the event, Cory Hemilright, owner of Bluegrass Island, and Nancy Kradic, who works alongside some local businesses.

Other than the individuals who started the event, there are plenty of others who provide a helping hand to ensure the event’s continuance each year.

“You can imagine everybody from the police department to public works, and these are the folks that were involved beforehand setting up, as well as after, cleaning up as late as three o’clock in the morning. We’re sponsoring the event as well, so it’s a real team effort all around,” Ayers said.

With this event, safety is one of the biggest concerns that Ayers and the town have for the public. Much preparation is made in guaranteeing fun and protection for its guests. In fact, the town begins setting up months in advance.

“We have committee meetings months in advance and do things like prepare for what bands are selected, hire the entertainment and fireworks. We meet and start working on issues like safety, the logistics of staging materials from firewood for the fire pit and barricades. We have internal and external teams working together on this at least half the year in advance,” Ayers said.

On the other hand, freshman Sydney York made it to the event with her family and plans on attending it next year.

“We stayed till around 9:30 to 10. We got to watch the ball drop for the kids, we did the dancing there and went around to look at the boats with all the lights on them. It was a really cool experience,” York said.

Aside from the games and entertainment, York also enjoyed the community feeling that was present and recognized it as an important aspect of the night.

“The good population around here wanting to go out into the community and do fun stuff made it all happen,” York said.

After the event, Ayers and his staff hold an “after-action review,” in which he and his team discuss the area’s strengths and weaknesses pertaining to the event. Following this, they continue “community conversation” that encourages the community to reach out and provide suggestions for future events.

“We’ll get together, we’ll bring in some deserts and some beverages, invite members of the community to come in and talk about special events, and ‘What are the things that we’re doing well,’ ‘What should be changed.’ We want to hear the voices of the community as we plan these events since they’re really intended for the community,” Ayers explained.

With everyone playing their part and dedicating their time, energy and effort into the process, the event was successful and can continue as a tradition on the Outer Banks.

“People came together to put the event together, and they did it for the people in the community, so they could have fun and that’s the best of both worlds,” Ayers said.

Sophomore Versailles Dalessio can be reached @22dalessiove31@daretolearn.org.