The New Year will be off to a roaring start tonight as Bermuda's 400th anniversary celebrations begin with stilt-walkers, fireworks and acrobatics.

Front Street will be transformed into the place to be for residents and tourists alike as the celebrations for the anniversary begin.

Bermuda 2009 Steering Committee chairman, Conchita Ming, said the point of the launch was to do something special for Bermuda.

Mrs. Ming said: "It's going be an amazing event. We are trying to do something that would be very special for Bermuda. We've put together what we think will be a very fun evening."

The main event is Animate Objects Physical Theatre with Fushu Daiko's live Japanese Taiko drumming for their aerial dance piece 'Ricochet'. Bermudian Tyler Barker is a member of the Miami, Florida-based aerial group.

Mrs Ming said: "It makes it extra special that a Bermudian will be performing with them."

For the group's performance, a 40ft wall will be constructed by its production company, where the performers will bounce and flip off of it as part of their choreography.

Animate objects will also be doing a fire performance which is sure to thrill attendees.

In addition to the acrobats, a re-creation of Bermuda's performance at the Tattoo in Virginia last year is also on the cards with a "musical journey" by the Bermuda Regiment Band and Bermuda Island Pipe Band. It will be an eight-minute presentation projected on two giant screens.

And for more music, The Unit, who won the jazz band competition, will be performing just before they head off to play in the Cuba Jazz Festival. Prestige will also join the line-up.

Mrs. Ming said the festivities will finish with a "very special" fireworks display that has never been seen in Bermuda before.

There will also be various food vendors, a fish chowder competition, a vintage bike display and table displays for the various events scheduled for the remainder of the year.

Mrs. Ming said: "We didn't want to do the same old, same old. What a wonderful way to start the year. This is really to celebrate Bermuda and her people."

She added: "We are so grateful to Government and the corporate community for supporting the anniversary. They have really come to the wicket to make sure this whole year can be special."

The launch will take place from 6.45 p.m. to 10 p.m.