2017: Here’s a list of New Year’s related happenings this weekend, with several family-friendly events set for Saturday, and hiking opportunities on Sunday.
On Saturday, New Year’s Eve:
• Kickstart 2017 will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. — just after the ball drop — at Open Arms Community Church, 1289 E. Main St., Foster Township. The event will feature several local bands playing music from all different genres from the ’70s through today. It’s free to attend, but organizers are inviting participants to donate non-perishable food items, laundry detergent and personal care items for the YWCA’s shelters and food pantry.
• A daytime New Year’s Eve bash will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Bradford Area Public Library. A balloon drop will be held at noon, so little ones who can’t stay awake ’til midnight will be able to ring in the new year.
• A Christian Music Night will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Church of the Nazarene, 55 N. Bennett St., Bradford. Entertainment will be provided by four local music groups/singers: All4ONE, Simple Faith, Katie Hallock and The Michael Hooten Family. A freewill offering will benefit Destinations-Bradford.
On Sunday, New Year’s Day:
• Allegany State Park will host its annual First Day Hike from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Summit Area on the Red House side of the park. The self-guided, off-trail hike will begin at the Summit warming hut and be approximately two miles long. The journey takes participants to the Stone Tower, then circles back to the warming hut. After the walk, hikers are invited to stay for chili and warm beverages.
• A First Day Hike guided by trailmaster Wanda Shirk will begin at 1 p.m. at Lyman Run. It will last about an hour, and hot chocolate and hot cider will be served.
• The Pfeiffer Nature Center will host its New Year’s Day Hike for Your Health at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Lillibridge Preserve, 1974 Lillibridge Road, Portville, N.Y. The hike will take about an hour.
