Family the focus of several New Year's Eve events in Franklin County
New Year's Eve will be bigger than usual this year in Franklin County, as a number of local organizations are hosting events, some for the first time, to ring in the new year. Many events are family-focused.
Greencastle families and friends can party the evening away - until 8 p.m. - with a family-friendly event that supports local students.
Want to see a big burger drop from the sky? Waynesboro will be the place to be New Year's Eve, as a community organization there hosts its second annual new-year celebration earlier in the evening.
In Shippensburg, an anchor will drop into a new year for the 16th time.
In Chambersburg, Coyle Free Library kicked off 2018 with the completion of a big renovation and expansion. A cocktail party on Dec. 31 will show off the shiny new library, and continue fundraising efforts for the project.
Check out more information on these events below.
Greencastle: Raising the Bar
Greencastle-Antrim Education Foundation will host this inaugural family-friendly event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Kaley Field on the school district campus off Leitersburg Road.
While most New Year's Eve events lead up to a big drop to ring in the new year, this event will culminate in the raising of a 620-pound, 20-foot-long steel beam. A Manitowoc crane will be on site to raise the beam, provided by Strait Steel.
Guests will be able to sign the beam, which will be displayed in a building project at Kaley Field, and take selfies with an "I signed the beam" picture frame.
“It’s consistent with our mission,” said Garon Gembe, president of the Greencastle-Antrim Education Foundation Board of Directors. “We are committed to impacting and enhancing Greencastle-Antrim Students’ educational experience. We secure and steward funds to enhance education, arts, and athletics. We are raising the bar at all levels.”
Bard in the Box DJ Services will provide musical entertainment.
Kids can have fun in a Toy Story-themed bounce house.
The first 500 guests will receive party favors.
Check out the Raising the Bar event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/947595358771608/?active_tab=about
Waynesboro: Boro Blast
Mainstreet Waynesboro Inc., with main sponsor F&M Trust and other area businesses, will bring back this popular family friendly event for a second year. It will take place 5 to 7:30 p.m. in Main Street Park, 25 E. Main St.
The highlight of the event will be the dropping at 7 p.m. of a giant Waynesburger, in recognition of the popular downtown restaurant of the same name and its support of Mainstreet Waynesboro events. It was built by Waynesboro Area Senior High School art teacher Melanie Erb and her art honor society students over the course of the first semester.
A crane will lower the burger to the ground as about 1,000 balloons fall to the ground, followed by balloon popping and confetti.
“We want to drop something new every year,” said Bill Kohler, Mainstreet Waynesboro director of economic development. “We think it’s important to honor and recognize Waynesboro’s unique businesses, history and traditions in starting this new tradition on New Year’s Eve.”
A large countdown clock, donated by Cermak Technology, will allow party guests to count down together.
Champion ice carver Danny Kissel of Newville will create a frozen work of art during Boro Blast. Kissel, who is also known for his wood and pumpkin carving and has showcased his pumpkin-carving skills on Food Channel's "Halloween Wars," has participated in several other Waynesboro events, including last year's Boro Blast.
Other activities include a 40-foot bounce house sponsored by Buchanan Auto Stores, free hot chocolate provided by the Waynesboro Civitan Club, adult hot chocolate sold by Christine’s Café, 2019 New Year’s party favors courtesy of Summit Health/Waynesboro Hospital, giveaways, and the chance to win gift certificates from dozens of local businesses. Also, Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library will host a story time and craft session for kids at 6 p.m. inside the library at 45 E. Main St.
RS Entertainment will provide the music and local radio personality Tiny Michaels and Kohler will share the emceeing duties.
The festivities will continue with music and more prizes until 7:30 p.m.
Parking will be available on the street and in the Rotary and Trinity Church lots west of Main Street Park.
Learn more at https://www.mainstreetwaynesboro.org/.
More:American Legion Post 15 will rise from the ashes
Shippensburg: Drop the Anchor
The Rotary Club of Shippensburg will "drop the anchor" into a new year for the 16th time.
The family friendly event will kick off at 8 p.m. on King Street in the center of town. Leading up to the anchor drop at midnight, there will be carriage rides by Cromer's Carriages, and inflatables and entertainment from Phantom Shadow. Beistle Company will provide party favors.
King Street between Fayette and Penn streets will close to parking around 6 p.m., and traffic will be detoured. Free parking is available downtown in the borough lot between Burd Street and Martin Avenue, Seneca Street and McCreary Avenue (near the police station). Metered on-street parking spaces are always free after 5 p.m.
Learn more at https://club.shippensburgrotary.org/page/drop-the-anchor
Chambersburg: New Year's Cocktail Party
Franklin County Library System will host a cocktail party from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Coyle Free Library, 102 N. Main St.
Admission is in the form of a $100 donation (per person) to support the ongoing Campaign for Coyle Free Library, a fundraising effort for costs associated with the library's recently completed multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion.
Kathy's Deli will provide hors d'oeuvres. There will be a variety of beer, wine and nonalcoholic drinks.
More:New chapter begins at Coyle Free Library
Different types of music will be featured around the library. The band Nite Fuel will perform music to dance to on the Atrium Floor; Tresa Day will perform "easy listening" music in the Conservatory; and "Chairmen of Swing" Mitch Morrill and David Goroznos will perform cabaret music on the Lower Level.
There will be a celebration and champagne toast at midnight.
