Ballito parties up a storm

Locals and visitors from all over the country partied like there was no tomorrow on New Year’s Eve despite having to do all the dancing in the pouring rain.

It was the 10 year anniversary of the much-loved Ballito New Year’s Eve street party and it was bigger, brighter and louder than ever.

Thousands of party-goers dressed up in neon clothing and brought tons of energy, to see in the new year with a bang.

Greg Walsh, managing director of G&G Productions who organised the street party claims there is no other event like it in the country.

“It is the biggest party in the country and it is the uniqueness and experience that makes it so awesome,” said Walsh.

With a massive outside arena, three different dance floors at the surrounding clubs and two restaurants providing package deals, there’s no wonder why everyone keep on coming back to Ballito for new year’s celebrations.

He said the first Ballito NYE party in 2004 saw 1800 people welcoming the new year in one of the clubs.

In 2014 more than 7500 people attended the event. “We got a lot of resistance in the beginning from police and residents who did not want a party on the streets, but we kept on pursuing the idea,” said Walsh.

By 2008 the party had really started to gain traction and an audience and the street party that Walsh and his team dreamed of finally happened.

“Ballito trusts us and thousands of people know that if they come here for New year’s they will always have a proper jol,” said Walsh.

The main act for the evening was international DJ and producer duo GLOWINTHEDARK.

Albert Harvey and Kevin Ramos traveled all the way from the Netherlands.

“We are so thrilled to be here, it is such an amazing party,” said Ramos.

This was the duo’s second time in South Africa.

They were also in Durban for the Rage festival.

“We would come back to South Africa any day,” said Harvey.

“The energy of these kids, partying in the rain non-stop, it’s just so awesome,” he said.

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