Haddonfield, Mt. Holly set New Year's plans

An Olympian, a female Irish band, a boys' choir, a hypnotist and a pet parade will join revelers in Haddonfield and Mount Holly tomorrow as they celebrate New Year's Eve.

Haddonfield has engaged more than 50 entertainers at a dozen venues for its 11th annual First Night celebration. Festivities begin at 2 p.m. with dinosaur crafts for children and continue until midnight with fireworks. The program includes events for all ages and interests, said Michael Willmann of WMSH Marketing in Haddonfield.

Headliners include Kung Fu Theatre's Tales from the Beijing Opera; the band Screaming Orphans, four sisters from Ireland; the Incredible Boris Comedy Hypnotist, and the Philadelphia Boys Choir. Also performing will be classical, folk, pop and swing musicians as well as children's artists and acrobats.

Olympic runner Erin Donohue, a native of Haddonfield, will lead the 8:15 p.m. children's countdown.

Admission buttons are $12, available at the borough information center and local businesses. Last year's event sold out in the early evening.

Though all venues are within walking distance, a shuttle bus between locations will be available. Parking will be free; organizers recommend using PATCO lots at Kings Highway and Washington Avenue.

Mount Holly's 10th annual alcohol-free celebration begins with a pet parade in front of the Friends Meetinghouse at 6 p.m. and finishes with at 9 with fireworks. Highlights of the family-centered schedule include a "Year of the Ox" scavenger hunt, crafts, games and folk music.

Admission buttons, for sale at High Street businesses, cost $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10.

For information about Mount Holly's celebration, call 609-914-0811 or go to www.MainStreetMountHolly.com.

For First Night Haddonfield, call 856-429-4700, ext. 300 or go to www.firstnighthaddonfield.org