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Get ready to ring in the New Year
New Year’s festivities will take place in Carlisle, Dillsburg, Mechanicsburg, Shippensburg and Duncannon.
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Emily Frye, 15, left, Juliana Eichelberger, 15, middle, and Sara Wheatley, 15, right, all of Lewisberry, keep warm at last year’s New Year’s celebration in Mechanicsburg. (Matthew O’Haren/Special to The Sentinel)
Things will be dropping from the sky in many towns across the area on New Year’s Eve.
Carlisle
First Night Carlisle’s Showtime 2009 begins downtown at 6:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
First Night Carlisle is a family-friendly, non-alcoholic New Year’s Eve extravaganza of the arts attracting thousands of people throughout Central Pennsylvania.
This year, First Night patrons can expect more outdoor performers and food vendors, in addition to prize giveaways.
“This year will be the most lively and entertaining yet, with something for absolutely everyone,” said Nicole Buning, publicity coordinator.
Top acts include Big Tubba Mista’ and Bridges And A Bottle.
There will be dancing, magic and children’s activities in addition to a fireworks display sponsored by Tuckey Mechanical Services/Restoration.
Those who bring cameras are encouraged to send their pictures to First Night for consideration in a photo contest.
Because most venues are indoors, the event will be held even if the weather is bad.
A car will be dropped at the corner of West and High streets at midnight and the fireworks will go off then as well.
First Night admission buttons are $10 in advance; children 5 and under are free.
Buttons will be sold at the Carlisle Theatre the afternoon and night of the event for $15. Buttons may also be purchased online.
First Night Carlisle is sponsored by Tuckey, The Sentinel, M&T Bank, Carlisle Regional Medical Center, Member’s 1st Federal Credit Union, WQLV and Target.
For more information on any of the events, visit www.firstnightcarlisle.org.
“We hope to see everyone, from Carlisle and beyond, out and ready to celebrate with us,” Buning said.
Dillsburg
Dillsburg’s 16th Annual New Years Eve celebration kicks off at 9 p.m. in the downtown.
This year’s event includes bingo, music, food–including the classics pickle soup and deep fried pickles–as well as street volleyball, magic, fireworks and, of course, the pickle drop.
The event is sponsored by the Dillsburg Area Business Association, Adams County National Bank, eciGroup, Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA, Harrwood Kennels, Dillsburg Borough, Dillsburg Area Business Association, Citizens Hose Company of Dillsburg, Dillsburg Jaycees, Kiwanis Club of Dillsburg, Baymont Electric and‘Lil Ikes Auctioneering Service.
Mechanicsburg
Mechanisburg’s fifth annual New Year’s Eve Wrench Drop will feature live music, food and family activities.
“It’s a great street party and everyone is invited to join in the fun,” said Jeff Palm, executive director of Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the event. No tickets or reservations are required to attend the free event.
New this year is free video gaming. Best Buy and The Geek Squad will be on hand with the latest video gaming platforms. People of all ages can try their hand at games and show off their skills with music, sports and other popular games.
A free screening of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” will be offered at the historic Union Church on Main Street. First showing is at 7:15 p.m. and a second showing at 9:30 p.m.
Live music starts at 9 p.m. on the square in downtown Mechanicsburg featuring “Men and Machine.” Hidden Hangar Hobby Shop will present remote control car demonstrations. There will also be food vendors and downtown merchants offering a variety of easy-to-eat sandwiches, snacks and hot and cold beverages.
Mechanicsburg’s wrench will be dropped at midnight.
The lighted 10-and-a-half foot wrench is the result of an Eagle Scout project by Sheldon Rodgers, a Mechanicsburg Area School District graduate. The wrench commemorates the mechanics who settled in the area to repair wagons traveling west after crossing the Susquehanna River.
The event is sponsored by Best Buy, The Geek Squad, the Borough of Mechanicsburg, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Lawrence Chevrolet, Red 102.3 FM, Equipment Depot, Orris House Inn, S. W. Thomas Consultants computer support, Greenawalt & Co. PC, Doran Excess Underwriters and Groom to Grow.
Most activities begin at 9 p.m.
Shippensburg
The eighth annual New Year’s Eve celebration will be held on the square in Shippensburg.
The event includes carriage rides and games for all ages.
Music will be provided by DJ Phantom Shadow, as well as inflatable attractions for children.
Most of the activities begin at 8 p.m. The anchor will drop at midnight.
Duncannon
The ninth annual Sled Drop on the grounds of the Sled Works in Duncannon will begin with festivities at 10 p.m.
Musical entertainment will be provided by WQLV FM98.9. Refreshments will be available. As in past years, everyone in attendance will receive a free commemorative wooden nickel and a free ticket for several prizes donated by local businesses. Drawings will be held every 15 minutes beginning at 10 p.m.
The sled used for the drop is 10 feet long and was built for the borough by former councilman John Myers. It was first used for the 2004 New Year’s celebration, replacing the original that proved to be too heavy.
It is a model of the famous Lightning Guider sled, manufactured at the Standard Sled Factory in Duncannon from 1904 until 1990.
The 110-foot illuminated tower used for the drop is a restored fire lookout tower that was moved to Duncannon in the 1990s.
The annual Sled Drop, originally an idea from Sled Works owner Jimmy Rosen, is organized by the borough and the Duncannon Fire Department. For more information or directions, call the Borough Office at 834-4311.
