Over 150 children and parents celebrated the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 at a Noon Year Celebration at Fountain Square organized by Downtown Evanston on Dec. 31.
Laura Brown, Business Development and Marketing Manager at Downtown Evanston, said the event came together quickly over the past few weeks. Not only was it a fun and safe activity for children to help ring in the new year, she said, but it was also a welcome destination for everyone who has been cooped up inside over the past few days.
Adults and children alike were bouncing or dancing to the ’80s and ’90s dance music provided by DJ Johnny Price. Two restaurants generously donated snacks; Potbelly provided mini chocolate chip cookies and Collectivo provided hot chocolate. A bright and sparkly, multi-hued balloon display, provided as an open-air “photo op” location, courtesy of Angie Jensen and Balloon Baby Party Hire, added color to the backdrop of Fountain Square.
The RoundTable caught up with the Grossman family at the balloon display. Mr. Grossman said the family was there because “it was a fun thing to do with the kids when there wasn’t much else going on. We’re glad the city’s doing it. It’s a really nice thing to do. It’s awesome.”
The weather cooperated for the event. Although the skies were grey and overcast, no rain or snow interrupted the festivities, and the temperature was in the high 30s and low 40s. As the noon hour approached, the DJ set the stage and encouraged the crowd to join in the countdown. Exactly at noon, Brown lowered the “crystal ball” to a round of applause and more music. A minute or two later, curious little ones were inspecting the clear plastic cups that mimicked the Waterford crystals used in the Times Square ball drop.
Happy Noon Year and Happy New Year to all!
Laura Brown of Downtown Evanston (Photo by Wendi Kromash) 
Kids checking out the “crystal ball.” (Photo by Wendi Kromash) 
DJ Johnny Price and a fan. (Photo by Wendi Kromash)