At midnight Eastern Standard Time on New Year’s Eve, a large ball was dropped in Times Square in New York City to ring in the new year. 13 hours earlier, at noon Central Standard Time in Solon, Trixie the T-Rex and Public Works Supervisor Kris Richardson pulled cords simultaneously, dropping over 500 balloons from the rafters of the Solon Methodist Church’s Family Life Center to a hundred or so happy and waiting kids below.

It was Noon Year’s Eve, the Solon Public Library’s annual free family-friendly event, which has become a community tradition. Lily Smith, Youth Services Librarian explained the rationale behind the happening.

“We count down to noon since so many kiddos are in bed before midnight,” said Smith.

Before the balloon drop, several activities including the ever-popular Confetti Science, where participants pour vinegar into a champaign flute containing baking soda (mixed with glitter) to create a mild volcanic chemical reaction. Crafts and yard games were also available.

“So many families are on break this time of year and they really need to get out of the house so we’re glad to have them all here at a community event,” Smith said noting Noon Year’s Eve is one of the Library’s largest events during the year. “it’s a really great time for all of our community members to socialize with each other and it’s just lovely for them to be able to celebrate New Year’s Eve without having to keep the parents awake all night.”

Smith expressed gratitude to the Family Life Center for making the gym available. Originally the event was held at the Library but quickly outgrew the space. Smith also acknowledged the many volunteers, both teens and adults, who helped to make the event a success as well as the city staff members who hung the large nets full of balloons.

“I don’t think that we could do this with just staff members with this many people (usually around 200 each year). Its really great to have their support.”