SHARJAH // Thousands of people watched in awe as a spectacular fireworks show at Al Majaz waterfront ushered in the new year. The waterfront was packed with families enjoying their time with their friends and loved ones.
A little after sunset, people started arriving carrying food, small chairs and toys for their children.
While the mothers arranged comfortable seating for the family facing the waterfront, happy, smiling children circled their parents on small bicycles.
Newlyweds Dana Judeh and husband Mohammed Al Khatib from Palestine came to the waterfront to relax and celebrate the beginning of their new life together.
“We got married three days ago, we are just starting our new life in this country. It was a good year for us, we are now hoping that 2015 will be an excellent one.”
Near a coffee shop, three young women were laughing and enjoying their coffee out in the open.
“This is a small reunion, my friends and I haven’t seen each other for five years, it was through Facebook that we organised this little gathering on New Year’s Eve,” said 20-year-old Canadian Farah Khalil.
Near the water, a father ran after his five-year-old daughter trying to feed her while the little girl ran around far more interested in playing with her pink balloons.
“Daddy told me that I can stay up late tonight to watch the fireworks near the water,” said Elena from the Philippines.
The father promised he would give Elena some chocolate if she ate her dinner.
A group of teenagers sat on the grass with pizza boxes and soft drinks between them.
“We were told that there will be fireworks here tonight, so our group decided to come here and have dinner and enjoy a good time,“ said 15-year-old Yaser Ahmad from Egypt.
All around the waterfront, young and old, from all walks of life celebrated the beginning of a new year, ending the 2014 chapter of their lives and looking forward to a happy and prosperous 2015.
At 10pm fountain shows started to the surprise of children who raced to the rails to get a perfect view of the show.
From a near by park, flying lanterns decorated the sky celebrating the new year.
As the countdown started, the people lined up at the rails to watch a spectacular fountain show followed by a massive fireworks show, to cheers and whistles of the people lined up at the corniche
tzriqat@thenational.ae
