Fabian O'Hara, STAR Writer

Cheers showered down on the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road on the eve of the new year and into New Year's day at the annual 11:59 party.

The countdown was streamed live from Times Square, New York. So, out went the old and in came the new year. Friends hugged and and couples kissed as they witnessed the fireworks taking place downtown Kingston.

The promotion team was pleased with the party.

"I'm really humbled by the turnout, as 4000-strong is never wrong. This is to show that patrons believe in the quality of events the promoters of 11:59 do," Ib Konteh, a member of the promotion team told The STAR.

"We stuck to our theme of streaming the countdown live from Times Square and also from our decor. No better way to start the New Year than at 11:59," he added.

The party boasted two dance floors, DJ Shine was in charge of one side and went down memory lane as he played Shabba Rank's Trailer Load, along with songs from Terror Fabulous and Spragga Benz as the dancefloor got busy.

mixing and mingling

Right around the venue, party-goers enjoyed the music and the food available. The VIP floor was scanty, for the most part, as persons collected their drinks and went back to the general section to mix and mingle with friends.

On the other floor, Chromatic, invited the ladies into his Rampin Shop, Chino wanted to Rough It Up while Jim Laden declared that he Really Like(s) you.

Code Red "geared" up the party into overdrive with Serani's Stinkin Rich, Konshen's This Means Money and Laden's Time To Shine.

On a night when persons seemed to still have Sting on their minds, forwards for Mavado were rare.

"Whey the Mavado fans dem deh?" asked the DJ, and the boos sounded through the venue. The same question was asked of the fans of Vybz Kartel, and the venue once again erupted, this time in cheers as the DJ played Kartel's latest song Last Man Standing to a massive forward.

A 'dagga' segment followed with RDX's Bend Ova, Beenie Man's Gimmie Gimmie and Busy Signal's Stamma, and the crowd went berserk.

Patrons recall their experience at 11:59 as one to remember.

"It was simply amazing, It was the best party ever," said Danielle Raynor a patron, who said her New Year's resolution is to focus more on school.

The party drew to a close in the wee hours of the morning as patrons made their way home.