BATHURST'S plans for New Year's Eve is music to the ears for businesses and the community.
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To help people celebrate, Bathurst Regional Council is paying for local musicians to perform at 12 hospitality venues on New Year's Eve.
It is hoped their performances will encourage people to book a table at their favourite restaurant and send out 2020 on a positive note.
"We're promoting New Year's Eve, getting the message out there that the doors are open in Bathurst," mayor Bobby Bourke said.
"The celebrations are a little more duller than they have been and we won't be able to be in the Adventure Playground or have fireworks, so we're trying to spread it around the CBD, which has been struggling through all sorts of mishaps, and we're continuing that campaign of trying to get more people in the CBD.
"One way of doing that is supporting the local artists."
Eleven local musicians have been asked to perform, with some of them scheduled to play at multiple venues.
A full list of artists and venues are on council's website.
Among them will be Belle Whitwell, who will be at the Knickerbocker Hotel from 3pm to 6pm.
The 17-year-old has been a musician for nine years and is known for doing both covers and original music.
Ms Whitwell is looking forward to the opportunity to perform.
"It's great especially because everyone is going to be out and about and it's going to be bringing something local to a fun, festive occasion," she said.
"It's good to get all the local musos together and do something special for Bathurst as well."
Pantano's Bar and Grill is one of the venues that will be participating, with Clancy Pye lined up to perform on the restaurant's deck from 6pm to 9pm.
Owner of Pantano's, Fiona Miller, is grateful to be part of the Party at your Local initiative and ready to celebrate.
"The live entertainment and the hospitality industries are probably the two industries that have suffered the most through COVID and I just think this is a way to start 2021 with a bang, showing we are going to come back stronger than ever," she said.
People are encouraged to book a table early at their favourite participating restaurant.
Those who do book before December 30 will go into the draw to win $100 Buy Local Gift Cards.
