It?s rare to find an event on New Year?s Eve that is appropriate for the entire family, but it?s not impossible.
The Maryland Science Center is working to bring families together this New Year?s Eve with its third annual Night 365. More than 800 people are expected to attend this year?s event, which allows families to check out all levels of the museum until just before midnight, before the fireworks at the Inner Harbor go off to celebrate 2007.
“We will have planetarium shows, IMAX shows, face painting and balloon artists. Our demo carts will be out for fun demonstrations on the floor. A marching band from Urbana High School will be performing,” said Ann Myers, senior director of development at the Maryland Science Center. “The response has been really good this year. We?ve even taken reservations for people who are coming from New Jersey and Virginia.”
New to the event this year is the Teen Dance Party. Designed for kids from 13 to 17, the party will include high-energy music, karaoke, Dance Dance Revolution, food and more. “This year, we decided on a teen dance party, where parents can come to the Science Center and drop off their kids in a friendly, safe, chaperoned environment,” said Myers.
“We wanted to open up to another audience type,” said Whitney Hannon, the center?s marketing manager. “Teens really don?t have a lot of things to do that night. We have a designated space for kids their age, where they can be by themselves and don?t have to have a parent there the entire time.”
“It?s something that brings the family closer together when they might not have a lot of time to spend together. Children don?t have to feel left out on New Year?s night,” Hannon said. “It?s something for Mom and Dad to feel comfortable taking their kids to.”
Hannon added that the center is a great way to stay warm and dry before seeing the fireworks at the end of the night. “Parents don?t have to worry about their kids being out in the cold weather all night,” she said.
“People ages zero to 100 can come and have a great time together,” Myers said. “If you want to have a really great time as a family or just find a safe environment for teens, it?s a great place to be.”
IF YOU GO
Night 365
» Venue: Maryland Science Center, Baltimore
» Time: 7 p.m. Sunday
» Cost: $30 to $35
» More info: Visit www.mdsci.org or call 410-545-5964
