Naperville Carillon to Host New Year’s Eve Countdown

The Naperville community is invited to gather on Dec. 31 for a free, family-friendly countdown to the New Year at the Millennium Carillon on Rotary Hill at 6 p.m. and again at midnight.

Mayor Pradel and CLTV News Anchor Dolly McCarthy will lead the countdown at 6:00 p.m. and Mayor Pradel also will host the midnight celebration.

From noon to 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, the Downtown Naperville Alliance will host a scavenger hunt in the downtown shops, along with face painting, music, and other entertainment.

The Naperville Park District will open the Riverwalk Eatery from 5 to 6 p.m., offering complimentary hot chocolate and crafts for children. Weather and snow conditions permitting, there will be open sledding on Rotary Hill during the evening.

For the 6 p.m. countdown the Park District will provide bells for participants to ring, glow necklaces for the kids, and a confetti drop.  Searchlights will illumine the Carillon as it rings in the New Year with a festive peal and Carillon music.

Prior to the midnight countdown, Naperville’s carillonneurs Tim Sleep and Sue Bergren will play duets, waltzes, and excerpts from Handel’s Royal Fireworks.

“We look forward to this unique New Year’s tradition which has developed into a favorite community event,” said Sameera Luthman, director of marketing and communications for the Naperville Park District.

For more information about the Downtown Naperville New Year’s Eve celebration, please visithttp://www.downtownnaperville.com/. To learn more about the Millennium Carillon, please visitwww.naperville-carillon.org. For questions about the Naperville Park District, please visitwww.napervilleparks.org.

Submitted by the Naperville Park District