The Fox Valley Park District helped families with young children welcome in the new year with its annual mid-day Family New Year’s Eve Party which kicked off at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora.
For the next two hours, families were able to enjoy a variety of activities including bouncing on giant inflatables, playing interactive games and dancing to music provided by a live DJ.
In addition, the event included a photo booth, crafts and other hands-on activities for kids.
At noon, balloons were dropped out of a net suspended over the gym area in the center to usher in an early start to the new year.
Leigh Cohoon of Sugar Grove, who works as a nanny with a family in Geneva, said the event was a perfect fit for her young charges.
“I’ve actually been a nanny for eight years and one of the children is 9, so I’ve known them forever,” Cohoon said at the event. “I looked this up and we were going to go to the Ronald McDonald House and I heard from the neighbors where the kids live that they were coming here. The kids are excited for the bounce house and the balloon drop.”
Joanne Lamb, recreation supervisor at the Vaughan Center, said the number of balloons dropped at the event has been growing over the years.
“This year, we’re looking at about 2,500 balloons as compared to last year when we had 2,000,” she said, noting the number dropped in 2022 was just 500.
Lamb said the event usually draws people “who are looking for a way to celebrate the new year as a family.”
“It’s a great way for families with young children to come together and celebrate while the kids are still awake in a fun and safe family environment,” Lamb said. “Last year we added some things and got some really positive feedback and so we are going with the same things this year which included more inflatables and craft options.”
Officials said with last-minute walk-ups, about 350 attended the event on Wednesday.
Katie Kolakowski of Aurora said she has come to the event previously, calling it “my favorite event to bring my family to.”
“This is my third year and I have kids from ages 9 down to 4 so there’s something for every age group that we can do as a family experience,” she said. “I like that there is something to do before midnight and the kids get a memory and look forward to this every single year. The balloon drop is amazing.”
Mike Barry of Aurora enjoyed dancing in front of the DJ with his kids at the event and said it was his first time at the Family New Year’s Eve Party.
“My wife knew about it. I’m looking at all the balloons and it’s a lot of work,” he said. “We just got here and we are doing some dancing. Later, we are just going to have a little dinner at home – kind of a quiet night. I’m not sure if we’re going to make it until midnight, but we’re going to try.”
Kirsten and Michael Argyelan of Sugar Grove and their family stopped by the center for the event on Wednesday.
“My sons have already done the bounce houses, some Bingo, and played bags,” she said, adding that while the family planned to have a fun day, “we’re not making it until midnight.”
“Oh no, that’s not happening,” she said.
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
