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Highland Park kids celebrate new year at library
Piper Micari reaches for candy falling from a pinata at the Highland Park Public Library's celebration Friday of the new year. | Tamara Bell~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 6, 2012 8:13AM
Not everyone could stay awake until midnight Sunday, but that didn’t mean they were undeserving of a New Year’s bash, too.
That’s the spirit behind the Highland Park Public Library’s kids-only New Year’s celebration, held the day before the adult celebration occurred.
Instead of counting down to midnight, the 33 Highland Park children blew noisemakers as streamers fell on them when the clock struck noon on Friday.
Then the kids raised glasses sparkling juice to welcome in 2012.
“Kids love the idea of New Year’s,” said Linda Wicher, who ran the youth event for the library. “I doubt many of them get to stay up ’til midnight so we try to replicate some of the excitement of New Year’s without staying up late and inconveniencing anyone, which the parents enjoyed.”
The kids also played games, decorated New Year’s hats and read classic New Year’s books.
“There was a lot of fun and laughter,” Wicher added. “We will likely do this again.”
A full slate of New Year’s options was open to adults in Highland Park, too.
On New Year’s Eve, Celebration at Norton’s Restaurant on Sheridan Road hosted the band, “Evil Wayz,” who entertained guests with the music of Santana, Rolling Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top.
M Restaurant offered an exclusive New Year’s menu while Second Street Bistro offered a BYOB New Year’s Eve party with a disc-jockey and dancing.
