Community bursting with entertainment options for New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is a night that’s dedicated to adults having a good time, but Carla Alderson says many families are making an effort to include their kids in the celebrations.

As manager of service operations at the Canada Games Centre, Alderson is busy getting ready for their fourth annual New Year’s Eve Family Extravaganza.

“When we started the event in 2010, I thought ‘What would I like to do with my family on New Year’s Eve?’ because I have young kids,” says Alderson. “So we put together a fun family event that includes everyone.”

They had more than 200 attendees the first year, and it’s grown to more than 400. Running from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., the event includes waterslide races, a giant aquatic inflatable obstacle course, and cannonball competitions. Glow Promotions will be back this year with their famous bouncy houses, and OnTree is returning with their ropes course and zip-lines.

The Canada Games Centre is also partnering with Canadian Sport for Life to demonstrate their programs on physical literacy — including fundamental skills demonstrations in throwing, kicking, and running.

“It’s a great way to be active together with your family — and to tire the kids out before the babysitter arrives,” laughs Alderson.

Later that evening, people will be flooding into Grand Parade for the region’s largest New Year’s Eve party.

Regis Dudley, communications manager with Destination Halifax, says this year’s show boasts 25 artists and live performances from Atlantic Cirque. For the first time ever at this event, a Grammy Award winner will take the stage.

“Miri Ben-Ari is a hip-hop violinist who’s worked with Jay-Z, Kanye, Wyclef, and Alicia Keys, and she won a Grammy in 2005 for co-writing Jesus Walks,” says Dudley. “Her music is really cool and different, and this is a rare opportunity to see her perform.”

Local favourites of the evening will include DJ Neon Dreams — a four-piece electronic pop group from Halifax — and Party Boots — a Halifax band with Cape Breton roots, which plays regularly at the Seahorse Tavern and is working on its debut release.

People of all ages are welcome at the Grand Parade event, and admission is free. The fun kicks off at 10:30 p.m. and concludes with the spectacular midnight fireworks display. Dudley says many couples, families, and groups of friends make it a tradition to come every year.

“This year is really going to be a high-energy party with a diverse set of performances,” says Dudley. “You get to ring in the new year right in the heart of everything, and it really is the best place to be.”