On New Year’s Eve, more than 400 people packed the library’s Hendrickson Room and Kids' World to celebrate the end of 2025. The Hendrickson Room buzzed with excitement as families gathered for the “Happy Noon Year Party”, a kid-friendly alternative to ringing in the New Year at midnight. By counting down at noon, children were able to enjoy the festivities without staying up past their bedtime.
The Noon Year Party, formerly known as the “Almost New Year’s Party,” is a longstanding library tradition that has also become a tradition for many families in the Arlington Heights community. The program has been held annually for many years, even continuing virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020 through Zoom.
Organized by the library’s Youth Services team, the celebration features activities that lead up to a festive countdown at noon instead of midnight. This year, the celebration included a live performance by Smarty Pants and His Big Balloon Show which featured magic, comedy and Smarty’s award-winning balloon props.
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