When the balloons hit the floor to bring in the start of 2013, the kids go wild.
Having the kids enjoy themselves in a family environment is part of the reason that Lori Novakowski looks forward to Lac Bellevue Ag Society’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration.
“We’re a family-oriented place,” she said of Lac Bellevue. “The community hall was all built by volunteers. We just decided to keep on the tradition of putting on a New Year’s event for all the families.”
She notes there are people who can’t necessarily afford a big night out and the cost of hiring a babysitter, so this celebration invites people to bring out their kids.
Novakowski remembers when her kids were young, they would fall asleep under the tables in their sleeping bags, after having had a wild time dancing to the music. This year, Ken Yettaw is supplying his DJ services for a nominal fee.
The event costs $25 for a family, with kids aged 16 and under allowed in for free if they are attending with their parents. Doors for the Dec. 31 event open at 5:30 p.m., with the potluck supper to follow at 6:30 p.m. and the dance to start at 8 p.m.
“If you’re looking for a fun night with family and just to meet people, it’s a great night to come out,” said Novakowski, adding that the place goes wild for the balloon drop at midnight. Tickets will be sold at the door, but people can also get advance tickets by calling Novakowski at 645-3491 or Ross Belton at 645-2406.
St. Lina Ag Society is also holding a dine and dance event, at the St. Lina Community Hall on Dec. 31. Ag Society member Jill Dechaine, who has been to “too many to count” St. Lina New Year’s celebrations says the event will feature the DJ services of Norm Noel of 45 Special, playing anything from country to pop-rock. “Whatever the crowd asks for, he usually does,” she said.
The night will feature a midnight hot lunch, probably involving ham, chicken and scalloped potatoes, she said.
Tickets are $15 each, and are available in advance of the event by calling Mike at 635-4058, Jim at 635-2188 or Norbert at 635-2188. Since liquor will be offered at the event, she adds, “Nobody will be allowed under the age of 18 unless they’re accompanied by a parent or guardian, or an adult. We will ID at the door.”
St. Paul will also play host to its annual New Year’s Eve Family Benefit Dance, which takes place on Dec. 31 at the St. Paul Abilities Network (SPAN) gym. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with a dance and live music to follow. The evening will also feature lunch, a silent auction, a kids’ play zone and a photographer who will take family pictures for a small fee.
Playschool students at École du Sommet were busy preparing a special decoration for the benefit dance prior to Christmas break. Denise Petruk, one of the organizers of the benefit, says the committee is hoping to get other students involved in similar projects next year.
They want to get the children’s perspective on what “families helping families” means, says Petruk. The decoration, which is a globe with children pasted onto it, will hang at the benefit dance.
Petruk, whose family was the recipient of the benefit dance in its first year, says that she believes it’s important to “be a family as a community. It makes life so much better and safer for our children.”
All proceeds from the event go towards supporting three local families who each had a difficult past year. Organizers are also still accepting monetary donations along with silent auction items and door prizes to raise funds.
Tickets are $15 for adults while tickets for those 12 and under are $2. “We’re asking people to buy (tickets) in advance, on sale at the Co-op Gas Bar,” said Tammy Yuschyshyn, chairperson of St. Paul & Community Family Benefit committee. She adds the event has sold out before, so people should pick up available tickets while they’re still hot.
