Photos of the: 2006 NBNYE party 2005 NBNYE party 2003-'04 NBNYE parties
	Volunteers are still needed to help with some of the children's games. These are fun, easy, one-hour shifts. Please call us at 724-5652 if you can help make this a great experience for the kids.
	As the countdown clock reached zero, the crowd celebrated 2004's coming with noisemakers and poppers. Expect more of the same festivities at the 2007 event. (2003 shown)
	The food line at 2006's NBNYE party featured the return of Laura's Famous Chilidogs (and regular dogs with all the fixins), chips, pastrys, cookies, kegs of 1919 root beer, punch, hot chocolate and more. (2006)
	Every year, the kids are drawn to the nonstop music and dance contests put on by the DJ's of Kids Dance. (2006)

NENA’s 8th-annual Night Before New Year’s Eve Party is happening on Sunday, December 30. NENA's most popular social event is expected to bring even more fun for everyone in the greater Nokomis area. Last year's party was the best attended yet with somewhere between 800 and 1000 neighbors ringing in the New Year early while enjoying a free evening of food, music, kids dancing, magic, and safe fun for all. This year's party will see the return of Laura's Famous Chilidog chili, Storyteller Davis Schaal, the DJ's of KidsDance, the giant Percheron Horses and much more. New this year is "scratch art" where the younger kids can make postcards, and a cup stacking competition with prizes.  There is no charge for this event, and everyone is welcome.

Sunday, December 30, 2007, 5-8 PM
(New Year's countdown at 8:00)
Nokomis Community Center
2401 East Minnehaha Parkway
(Extra parking is available in the overflow lot East of the Center, and below the center along Nokomis Parkway)

Hay  RidesBonfireFoodLive  Music
KidsDance DJ & Dance  Contests Prizes
Carnival Games Face Painting
Fortune Teller Story Teller
Balloon MagicianCrafts

Previous Years

Last year, as in previous years, every inch of the Nokomis Community Center was transformed into a veritable feast for the senses as residents of all ages from Nokomis East and surrounding neighborhoods came together to celebrate the New Year. Photos from previous years are in the Photo Gallery

All of this was made possible by the remarkable efforts and energy of NENA volunteers and staff, Nokomis Community Center staff, and by the generous donations of many area businesses.

The Roosevelt Jazz Ensemble entertained guests with jazz and smooth pop in the lounge/reception area for the first hour of the party. (2006)

For the first hour of the evening, the Roosevelt Jazz Ensemble, entertained guests in the lounge. They played excellent jazz and pop classics. Starting at six, the DJ’s of KidsDance made their third annual appearance in the gymnasium, keeping children and parents alike boppin’ to a mix of contemporary pop and classic rock and roll. Also in the gym, kids had their faces artfully painted and played games to win Beanie Babies, candy and other prizes.

At the other end of the building, food and drink was served in the multipurpose room. Last year, the hungry crowd ate nearly 700 hot dogs and cleaned out several crockpots of Laura's Famous Chilidog chile, four pounds of fresh saurkraut, fixins, over 8 cases of chips, 2 kegs of 1919 root beer and gallons of fruit punch.

A strolling magician captivated his audience with clever sleights-of-hand and creative animal baloons that delighted the young crowd. In the craft rooms, children created imaginative masks, noisemakers, and spin-art masterpieces to take home. David Schaal, a talented children's story teller, captivated young minds in the daycare room.

2004 was the warmest night in the Night Before New Years Eve party's five-year history, and a light fog made it difficult to keep the paper bag lanterns lit. 2005 was a bit cooler with some light flurries, but the outdoor bonfire tempered the chill for the lines of people waiting to board the popular hayride. 2006 was mild also, with a light and wet snow. The old-fashioned wagon, pulled by two sturdy, white Percherons, was often heard more than seen in the dark recesses of the Park as festive riders broke into impromptu caroling. Back indoors, a traditional New Year’s countdown, complete with squawkers, poppers, and other noisemakers, concluded the festivities.

What a great night! With food, entertainment, crafts and games, residents celebrated the upcoming New Year with friends, family and neighbors in a safe, congenial environment. If you weren’t one of the roughly 1,000 participants at last year’s “Night Before New Year’s Eve Party,” you missed a truly magnificent event!

The moderate weather made the hayride a popular destination and kept the beautiful Percheron horses busy. (2003)

We would especially like to thank the following for their generous contributions in 2006: McDonald’s Liquor Store, Bergan’s SuperValu, Nokomis Beach Coffee Shop, Cub Foods, Old Dutch Potato Chips, Mell-O-Glaze, and Scandia Bake Shop.

We’ll see you this December 30th!

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