With only a few days left of 2014, there’s plenty of ways to celebrate the end of the year.
1. For young children
The Noon Year’s Eve Party lets kids celebrate the new year early, with music, crafts and activities. The free activities will run 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Three Creeks Community Library, 800 N.E. Tenney Road, Vancouver. Call 360-906-4790 or visit www.fvrl.org
There will be a preschool New Year’s Eve Party from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield, complete with stories and crafts for children. Call 360-906-4770 or visit www.fvrl.org
2. For adults
Give a champagne toast at Vancouver’s New Year’s Eve at the Hilton party. Attendees will see performances by the Nu Wavers, who will play hits from the 1980s, Vancouver singers Beat Frequency and the Aerial Muse Collective. Proceeds benefit the Fort Vancouver National Trust. VIP admission and dinner begins at 6 p.m. with general admission opening at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St., Vancouver. The event is for ages 21 and older. Tickets are $70 to $90, $125 for VIP, and $30 after 10 p.m. Call 503-432-9477 or visit www.tickettomato.com/event.php?event_id=2712
New Year’s Eve at the Hoosegow is a benefit concert and prime rib dinner, with proceeds benefiting the Veterans Community Garden Project. Beginning at 6 p.m., performances include pianist Art Miller, guitarist Ernesto Quilban and Mark Stevenz as Elvis at The Hoosegow, 609 W. 11th St., Vancouver. Tickets are $75 and $120 per couple. Call 360-907-2391 or visit www.clarkcountyvetscourtboard.org
3. Swing or square dance
Dance the night away at the Luepke Senior Center’s sixth annual Swinging in the New Year’s Eve Dance, which will have a 1940s theme. The dance will feature the big band sound of Beacock Dance Band, along with light refreshments, party favors and sparkling cider from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Marshall Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver. Tickets are $15 to $18. Call 360-487-7050 or visit cityofvancouver.us/parksrec
The Happy Hopper’s New Year’s Eve Dance will feature a “night in Venice,” with round and square dancing hosted by callers Craig Abercrombie and Adam Christman. The dance will run 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Clark County Square Dance Center, 10713 N.E. 117th Ave., Vancouver. Tickets are $20. Call 360-573-5886 or visit www.happy-hoppers.com
4. Less formal affairs
Local bands will ring in 2015 at Vancouver and Portland bars:
Common Ground, 9 p.m. at Cascade Bar & Grill, 15000 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver; $5; 21 and older. Call 360-254-0749 or visit www.cascadebarandgrill.net
Hokus Pokus, 9 p.m. at Billy Blues Bar and Grill, 7115 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave., Vancouver; no cover charge. Call 360-694-3114 or visit www.billybluesbarandgrill.com
Kenny Kofler and The Third Power, 9 p.m. at Byno’s Roadhouse, 4250 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver; no cover charge. Call 360-314-4833 or visit www.bynosroadhouse.com
The Sindicate, 9 p.m. at Brickhouse Bar and Grill, 109 W. 15th St., Vancouver; no cover charge; 21 and older. Call 360-695-3686 or visit www.vancouverbrickhouse.com
New Year’s Eve with Mel Brown, 7:30 and 10 p.m. at Jimmy Mak’s, 221 N.W. 10th Ave., Portland; $22 to $28; 21 and older. Call 503-295-6542 or visit www.jimmymaks.com
Tony’s AM Gold New Year’s Seventies Soft Rockin’ Eve, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. at The Tony Starlight Showroom, 1125 S.E. Madison St., Portland; $35 to $79; 21 and older. Visit www.tonystarlight.com
Weinland’s New Year’s Eve Supergroup, 9 p.m. at Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St., Portland; $25 to $28; 21 and older. Call 503-231-9663 or visit www.dougfirlounge.com
5. Start 2015 with a hike
Start the month of January with a First Day Hike. State parks across Washington and Oregon will wave their day-use fees to encourage visitors to explore the outdoors. Hikers can join Beacon Rock State Park staff for a 2-mile guided hike at 10 a.m. Jan. 1 at the Beacon Rock Trailhead Picnic Shelter, 34841 State Highway 14, Skamania. Be sure to dress for the weather and trail. There also will be 10 a.m. hikes at the Rooster Rock State Park, Exit 25 on Highway 84 in Corbett, Ore., and the Twin Tunnels hike from the Mark O. Hatfield East trailhead, Exit 69 on Highway 84 in Mosier, Ore. For other First Day Hikes, visit www.parks.wa.gov or www.oregonstateparks.org
