2015 goes out with a bang

For some little Goldenites, 2015 went out with a bang.

It was an hour filled with “food and fun and jubilation,” read Jenny Butler, the Golden Library’s patron experience associate, from “Xander’s Panda Party,” a children’s book by Linda Sue Park.

Golden Library’s Noon Year’s Eve Celebration took place on Dec. 31.

“We’re not keeping them up until midnight,” said Scott Peabody, who brought a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old to the celebration.

The event attracted about 50 people –; from infants to toddlers to elementary school-aged children, and their parents.

And after the stories and a song that encouraged all the kids to jump around, it was time to make party hats. Each child made one out of orange, green, yellow, pink or purple construction paper and decorated it with festive stickers.

Then, finally, it was time.

Three, two, one… “Happy New Year!” everyone shouted as noon hour struck and Brian Butler pulled down a net holding colorful balloons.

The first such celebration hosted by the library proved a big hit, children’s librarian Sarah Coleman said.

Ten-year-old Kaysha Westgard’s favorite part was making the hats, she said, because she likes decorating stuff. The Westgards had plans to ski on New Year’s Day, so none of the family was going to stay up until midnight.

While the other children were stomping on balloons and bubble wrap to make loud popping sounds, Cooper Bingham, 6, was on a balloon rescue mission. Although only able to save two little balloons, he did plan on taking them home.

Lily, 4, and Maily, 2, Levesqe liked when all the balloons came down, the older sister said.

Their grandmother, Laura Griffin, appreciated that the library offered a noon year’s celebration because it’s something the whole family can attend and enjoy.

The girls’ mother, Brooke Levesqe, agreed. The family wanted to teach the children what the holiday is without having to stay up until midnight.

And everybody had a good time.

It was “interactive,” Brooke Levesqe said. “Wild and crazy” fun.

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