Final preparations are underway for London's Rockin' New Year's Eve celebration in Victoria Park.
Roughly 12,000 people are expected to take in the festivities at the downtown park Saturday night.
"For the children's act we get about 1,000 people. As the evening goes on the crowd grows. People come and go but by the time the headliner takes the stage we usually have crowds that run right from the bandshell over to Wellington St.," said Bruce McGuffin, chair of the Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Committee.
The evening gets underway at 8pm with local children’s performer Glee London. Free balloon hats, party favours, and hot chocolate will be handed out before the kid's fireworks display at 9pm.
Two London rock groups will then take the stage, opening for headliner Finger Eleven. The local rockers won the opportunity through an online contest launched earlier this month.
"We have Taylor Holden and the Law of Averages and Hiroshima Hearts. We had a contest and we had just under 6,000 Londoners cast their vote and those are the two groups that won. We are very pleased to have them," said McGuffin.
At 10:45pm, Juno award winning rock band Finger Eleven takes the stage. The Canadian quartet has released five studio albums including Juno Award Rock Album of the Year; Them vs. You vs. Me. They are also known for hit songs Paralyzer and Living in Dream.
"This year with the help of Cory Crossman from the City of London Music Office it really enhanced our selection of the headliner and the lead-in groups," said McGuffin. "We were really pleased with that and I think we are going to incorporate that in the years to come."
As always, the New Year’s Eve bash wraps up with a fireworks display from the rooftop of city hall at the stroke of midnight.
Anyone heading to the park to ring in 2017, is reminded the city is offering free overnight parking in municipal lots after midnight. London Transit will have free service from 8pm Saturday until 1am Sunday.
The family friendly event is free.