Hundreds of people gathered at Orillia's Rotary Place Monday night to ring in the New Year with free activities organized and hosted by the city.
“This is my first time being out here,” said Walden Cairns. “But it’s really cool.”
The 11-year-old was among the hundreds of kids who made their way to the venue on University Avenue for celebrations starting at 5:30 p.m. this evening.
“The balloons are pretty cool,” said Cairns. “And I like the hot chocolate, and the crafts are fun.”
The Orillia resident ventured out to Rotary Place with his family who were going from one stop to another enjoying a range of activities including face painting, skating, rock climbing, carnival games, and several types of bouncy castles.
“The Rotary Place is more known for sports, but if they make it more of an activity place, that would be great,” said Cairns, commenting on the fact that the city sponsors the night’s activities.
Coming out to the celebrations was a great way not only for parents to spend some quality time with their kids, but also for grandparents to join in on the fun.
“My daughter comes out here for New Year’s,” said Cathy Weasner, of Orillia. “I usually spend it at home because my husband is a truck driver. So I think it’s a good get together.”
It’s the same for some other families, too.
“We usually stay at home, especially if you don’t have a babysitter,” said Pamela Mazerolle. “But here there’s so much to do and you’re inside and you’re warm.”
The Orillia resident said the city throwing the New Year’s Eve party gives families something fun to do over the Christmas break.
“I grew up in Orillia and I always went out to stuff that the city offered,” said Megan Kamphuis, recreation program supervisor, part of the team organizing tonight’s festivities. “These are the memories you remember.”
The city has been doing this for the last six years, she said. And although it started out as a small affair, over time and thanks to rising resident interest, the city has added more activities.
“It really took off with the sesquicentennial,” said Kamphuis. “Tonight, in the first half hour, we’ve had 500 people come in.”
They’ve also gone from having 140 balloons in the first year to 2,000 this year, she said.
The preparations for the night usually begin in August, noted the city staffer. She said some of the activities will be re-booked for next year as soon as this evening is wrapped up.
Some of the popular attractions include rock climbing, skating, face painting, and the bouncy castles, said Kamphuis.
“It’s great to be able to offer this through the city,” she said, adding the event could not have been possible without a team of the city’s Parks and Recreation staff members.
