ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Older children from the area can celebrate New Year’s Eve in a safe, fun environment during a First Night celebration in the Fourth and Maple Complex on North Fourth Street.
Allegany Mayor Greg Pearl said the free event, which will admit children in grades five through 12, will be held in the gymnasium and recreation room of the building from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. New Year’s Eve.
Pearl said the celebration is sponsored by the newly formed Allegany Community Cares group and Allegany Police Department, under the direction of Officer Jordan Abdo.
“We’re trying to get more involved with our children with events so they have more than one person to turn to,” Pearl explained. “They know they can come to us, the (police department) or Abbie” Kalinowski, director of the Allegany Parks and Recreation Department.
Abdo, who has doubled as Santa Claus for the village at the Santa House for younger children, said the inaugural First Night activity will require all participating youngsters to sign in and provide a contact number for their parents or guardians.
Abdo said at 8:45, food will be provided and ground rules will be laid out, such as a zero-tolerance rule for bullying during the evening.
“Then we’re going to have pizza and some snacks, and later we’re going to have a kickball game or a four square tournament,” he said.
Abdo said youngsters who don’t want to go the gym, will have the option of going into the recreation room to watch a movie or play board games.
These activities will be followed by open rollerblading activities from 10:15 to 11:45 p.m. in the gym, with music provided by a disc jockey.
“We’re then going to project a ball drop on the wall (of the gym) at midnight, followed by ice cream for everyone,” Abdo added.
He said event coordinators will stay on the premises until all youngsters are picked up by a responsible adult. Pearl also noted that parents or guardians will be contacted if their children leave the event early.
Adbo and Pearl said monetary donations, snacks, chips, soft drinks or water would be appreciated for the event, as it is uncertain how many youngsters from the area will attend.
“We want to continue this and want to have a dodgeball tournament in the future for the older kids,” Pearl added.
Abdo said donations may be mailed to the Village of Allegany, 106 East Main St., Allegany, NY 14706. Notations should be written in the memo line of checks stating the funds are for Allegany Community Cares, or First Night.
Residents who would like to provide snacks or beverages for the event, should contact Kalinowski at the rec center at (716) 307-2940 to schedule a drop-off time for the items.
