A fury of popping sounds rang out as colorful balloons showered down on an excited group of youngsters Saturday at the end of their countdown to the “Noon Year.”
What ensued next was an enthusiastic dance party, made even better with bubble wrap and bubbles.
Twins Addison and Elliana Wilson, 4, jumped up and down on their noisemakers, “pop, pop, pop.” Others, such as brothers James and Owen Chyterbok, 6 and 4, respectively, bopped each other with blue balloons, their favorite color.
The party held at the Camas Public Library gave toddlers, preschoolers and their siblings a chance to celebrate the arrival of the new year with a countdown to noon. Volunteers counted about 60 children and 70 adults at the celebration, which included crafts and snacks.
Krystal Glass, 35, of Vancouver said her daughter Katy, 4, usually misses out on New Year’s Eve because she can’t stay up until midnight.
“So this way she can celebrate,” Glass said. “It’s awesome.”
Katy twirled through the balloons and bubbles, at one point grabbing a wooden spoon to use as a microphone as she put on her performance.
Two-year-old Reed Rissler giggled as he swatted at a black balloon while his dad, Ryan Rissler, 39, held him up.
The Camas family hadn’t thought much of their New Year’s resolutions but said they are hoping for a healthy baby to start off the year. Mom, Becca Rissler, 38, is due to give birth in two weeks, she said, and they are keeping the gender a surprise.
Their daughter, Wren, 5, hopes it’s a girl.
“I’m the only little girl. I want a little girl to play with,” she said.
The Cowart family of Camas is all about New Year’s resolutions. Every year, they sit down and brainstorm a word or phrase, mom, Karen Cowart, 39, said. Last year, they worked on being kind. They will decide today what 2018’s resolution will be.
“It was hard getting used to it,” 10-year-old Gavin said of his family’s resolution. “But once you did, it was easy.”
Cowart said her family usually celebrates the new year by heading to Parkdale, Ore., to go sledding. And New Year’s Eve is a particularly special time because it’s also Gavin and his twin brother Grant’s birthday. They turn 10 Sunday.
Gavin accompanied his sister, 2-year-old Annaka, to the Noon Year’s Eve celebration. He and his mom helped the little girl make a crown that read 2018, as well as a noisemaker made of a paper plate, string and beans.
He’s looking forward to the real celebration and his birthday Sunday, however, with fireworks and sledding.
