175th Anniversary New Year's Eve Celebration and Big Wish

As Rochester's 175th anniversary year comes to an end, Mayor Duffy will be celebrating with us during an evening of fun family events. It starts at 6PM with free ice skating at Manhattan Square Park. This only covers skate admission. If you do not own ice skates, there will be a limited number available for rent at the cost of $3 a pair. From 6:30-9:30PM, there will be a host of family activities at the Riverside Convention Center. There will be a Family DJ Dance Party with Jimmy C's Music Machine, giant inflatables, carnival games, a free photo booth, face painting, airbrush tattoos, and caricature drawings. A professional clown, magician, stilt-walker and balloon sculptor will also be there. Camp Good Days and Special Times will also be on site to encourage you to participate in their KazooFest. At 9:30PM, there will be a presentation by Mayor Bob Duffy and then the elevator of the First Federal building will raise a star to the top. When the star reaches the top, the Big Wish, Globe of Fire Ceremony will begin. This ceremony will occur on the Sister Cities Bridge overlooking the Genesee River. What is the Big Wish, Globe of Fire ceremony, you ask? Over the past year, the city has collected wishes from people in the community. During the ceremony, the wishes will be placed inside a metal globe and will be set afire. This is reminiscent of a Native American ceremony of offering intentions to the spirits. The evening will conclude with a fire work display at 10PM. There will be free parking at street meters and the city-owned parking garages (Court St Garage, Washington Square Garage, Sister Cities Garage and South Ave Garage) after 6PM on December 31, 2009. This should prove to be a wonderful time for all. I hope you will take advantage of this fun and free opportunity.