Collie Buddz, Troy Anthony and Homegrown will perform at a free New Year's Eve party on Front Street — with organisers predicting it to be one of the biggest celebrations ever seen in Hamilton.

Eugene Dean, from the Emperial Group, said more acts would be announced in the run-up to the December 31 event, which he is expecting at least 8,000 people to attend.

"It's wonderful," Mr. Dean said, of the three acts confirmed to play. "Now we just have to build everything around that. We are expecting similar [numbers] to what there was on January 3 for the launch of the 400th anniversary celebrations.

"That was between 6,000 and 8,000. We are actually expecting more than that. It's a massive undertaking with regard to all the different elements."

The theme of the party — in response to the recent escalation of violence on the Island — will be "Unity in the Community: Fighting With Peace, Not For It".

Mr. Dean said: "For us, we are just pleased to have the opportunity to bring an event to the community that's promoting unity. Our goal is to usher in the New Year under this theme.

"We are bringing peace to the table. Even in terms of addressing anti-social behaviour that we have borne witness to in recent months, we are suggesting a more peaceful approach — one that deals more with reconciliation, atonement, understanding.

"That would be far more beneficial to us rather than the tendency to heap fire on fire."

He said careful arrangements were being put in place with Police and other agencies to ensure the safety of everyone attending the Corporation of Hamilton-sponsored event.

"Public safety is a huge thing in people's minds so for people to know the hard work and collaboration that's taking place between the different departments, it will give people a sense of security.

"People will feel comfortable knowing that so much energy has gone into making sure people are safe on the night."

A free New Year's Eve celebration has taken place in St. George's for more than 15 years — with a symbolic onion dropped in King's Square on the stroke of midnight.

But, the location is switching to the capital this New Year's Eve because the Corporation of St. George told Emperial it could not afford the party this year.

Mr. Dean said: "Just by changing the venue, the scale of the thing has mushroomed. In St. George's, having done it 17 times already, we got into a standard system. Now we are moving to a new environment, it's a new experience."

He added: "It's going along very well. I think everybody involved is very happy with how things are looking. At times it can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, we have a very experienced team."