Say goodbye to 2012
By David Sharos For The Sun December 29, 2012 10:30PM
Spotlights illuminate the Carillon on Saturday as Naperville rings in 2012 with a 6 p.m. New Year's Eve celebration. | Jeff Cagle~For Sun-Times Media
Updated: January 31, 2013 6:36AM
Naperville plans to welcome in the new year with its own day-long New Year’s Eve bash, which promises to deliver something for everyone without having to travel far from home.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m., events will be offered ranging from family favorites like face painting and jugglers to a countdown that will be staged at the Millennium Carillon on Rotary Hill. Naperville’s “Ringin’ in the New Year” event is a collaboration offered by the Downtown Naperville Alliance, the DuPage Children’s Museum and the Naperville Park District.
Executive Director for the Downtown Alliance Katie Wood said this year’s program offers “a chance for families to celebrate the last day of 2012 together.”
“We’re looking forward to seeing people celebrating and enjoying themselves in a family-friendly way, and enabling families to join in at any point that is relevant for them,” Wood said. “Working together, we are able to provide a great day for families to come together and celebrate in a safe and friendly environment.”
Beginning with the Children’s Museum Bubble Bash, daytime activities downtown will include free face painters, caricature artists, jugglers and more scattered around the downtown area. The Bubble Bash runs from 10:30 a.m. until noon and will be held at North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. The event will feature music by Jeanie B. and the Jelly Beans, along with entertainment by Geoff Akins, the Bubble Wonder Man. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers, with an additional $2 per ticket box office service charge.
Beginning at 6 p.m., there will be an early evening countdown to ring in 2013 from the base of the Carillon, with another countdown held again at midnight.
Mayor A. George Pradel and CLTV News’ Dolly McCarthy will co-anchor the countdown at 6 p.m. and Pradel will again also host the midnight celebration.
The Naperville Park District plans to open the Riverwalk Eatery from 5 to 6 p.m., offering hot chocolate as well as crafts for children.
For more information, visit www.downtownnaperville.com, www.naperville-carillon.org as well as www.napervilleparks.org.
