Kingston Village will be ushering in the New Year with a bang.
Once again, a celebration is planned at the Western Kings Arena, beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31, with a Jan. 1 storm date set in case of inclement weather. All events are free, but donations of non-perishable food or cash donations for the food bank are being accepted.
Participants can bring skates to glide over the ice with Kingsley the Steer, the village mascot, then warm up upstairs in the gallery and listen to musical entertainment. Free hot chocolate and cider, popcorn, hot dogs and chili will be served in several locations.
There will be face-painting and balloon animals for kids and Murray Rolph will provide fingerprinting at the Rec Hunt.
Another attraction will be sleigh rides - if there is no snow, hay rides will be held – and participants are urged to dress warmly for a jaunt around some of the streets in west Kingston.
A little after 9 p.m., the crowds will move down towards the Superstore parking lot to watch the fireworks, which will last for approximately 15 minutes.
Muriel West, one of the organizers, urged people to attend the event.
“Join families, young and old, for a wonderful evening filled with fun,” she stated. “Share in the genuine sense of community that makes this village such a great place to live and raise a family. Bring a donation to the food bank if you are able, and also, bring along lots of good will, hope, and optimism for the year to come.”
