Thousands of screaming fans withstood the cold and occasional showers to bring in the New Year with Collie Buddz and Grammy-award winning artist, Shaggy.

The event was an NYE party unlike any other offered this year. Live performances, multiple bars, a food village and a big name artist like Shaggy made Celebrity New Year's 08.

The atmosphere was typical of a reggae concert with more than 2,500 revellers smoking and drinking up until the last minutes of 2007 and bringing in 2008 in the same way, except the crowd was predominantly white which was unusual.

There were tents strewn about Par-La-Ville car park, each with a different purpose. Bars and the food court were covered with tents while the VIP, media area and artists' quarters were also covered with tents. There was also a two level sponsor tent. Partygoers with regular tickets had to withstand the cold and rain with no shelter.

Now to the show. C'Daynger and Roach opened the show before midnight both singing their original songs. It was close to 1 a.m. when Collie Buddz stepped on the massive stage complete with spotlights.

Dressed in a black pinstripe suit with a black shirt and silver tie and trademark dark shades, Collie had his fans screaming, jumping and singing until he left the stage.

He sang most of his hits including 'Mamacita', 'Wild Out', 'Lonely', 'Blind To You', 'Tomorrow's Another Day' and the anthem for all weed smokers, 'Come Around'.

During the entire set, Collie was backed by the Homegrown band with Roach doing background vocals. At one point, Roach joined Collie on stage to sing their compilation, 'Sensimilia'. They also sang a version of Bob Marley's 'Stir It Up'.

At the end of his performance, Collie sang 'Moving On', an ideal song to perform after last week's shooting and murder.

Shaggy stepped on stage close to 2 a.m. opening with 'Church Heathen' from his new album, 'Intoxication' and had the crowd jumping.

The artist, dressed in a brown shirt and tie with jeans and brown aviator glasses, explained he hadn't been to Bermuda in a few years and wanted to perform new and old songs.

Shaggy sang one of his oldest songs, 'Oh Carolina' and many more including the song he told The Royal Gazette is his all-time favourite, 'Big Up', and performed 'Bashment Party', 'Mr. Lover Lover', 'Bombastic' and so many more.