With 2018 hours away, various Barbadians were spotted getting ready for the first big celebration of the year.
Some were getting their hair on point, while others were ensuring they had enough food and drink for the party ahead.
This was the case at the Eight Ball bar along St Stephen’s Hill, St Michael. Recently under new management, the staff were preparing for their first New Year’s Day.
“We will be hosting a get together and karaoke but it was a last minute idea so we will only be serving a small platter for the guests with sandwiches and cake and a little chicken or fish – nothing too elaborate,” said cook Keisha Williams.
The concept for the new Eight Ball is to keep it as a village shop but with high standards to draw in tourists. Williams said so far the patronage had been increasing and they were hoping for a good turnout for Old Year’s.
In the Elegance and Glamour Beauty Box, The Ivy, St Michael, beauty technician Nathania Steede was working on Shanice Forde’s hair, putting some finishing touches on a finger wave style. Forde said she would be attending the breakfast cooler party First Light at East Point, St Philip for the first time.
“My friends wanted to go and I had heard good things about it last year, so I wanted to experience it for myself,” she said.
However, Forde admitted the excitement of New Year celebrations had started to wane.
“As you get older, things seem to get more quiet,” she said.
The 23-year-old said she almost had everything ready; the last step would be makeup.
As for Steede, she said business comprised mostly of touch-ups to hairstyles done since Christmas. She said business has been slow for Old Year’s Night.
“Last year, they didn’t have room to sit in here and I had to tell people I done work because I wanted to get out and party too. Now when I want to start the New Year with money, I can’t get none,” she said, adding it was particularly depressing as her birthday was coming in a couple weeks’ time.
While some were preparing for parties, Dianne Harding was hard at work preparing flying fish in the Bridgetown Market. She said her work was more important.
“I’ll be spending my Old Year’s working and I will be back right here again tomorrow to sell. Fish is perishable so I have to get them done, then anything can come after,” she said.
Even so, Harding said she might attend a house party later tonight, keeping in line with the old adage about all work and no play. (CA)