When it comes to celebrating the end of another year, the Southcomb family of Aurora has a tradition that all members agree is worth repeating.
“We came last year and we’re back,” said Tina Southcomb as her family enjoyed working at a craft table during the Fox Valley Park District’s annual family New Year’s Eve Bash at the Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. “Our son James liked all the bounce houses and it’s nice to have an activity kids can do because they can’t stay up until midnight. I’m not sure my husband and I are going to make it that far, either.”
Last year, over 430 families attended the event, which again this year included a noon balloon drop to symbolically welcome in the new year 12 hours early, allowing families to spend time together before late-night celebrations.
Those in attendance Tuesday also got to enjoy inflatables, games, music and more as well as receiving party favors and a snack.
Vaughan Athletic Center Recreation Supervisor Joanne Lamb said it is always a “big moment” when the new year is celebrated by youngsters.
“We’ve had this for a number of years and this is an important option for kids and parents,” Lamb said. “As a parent myself, I used to have little children, and it’s always such a hard thing to know what to do on New Year’s Eve. The kids can’t stay out late, and often the parents don’t want to go out but stay home instead and decide not to be out on the roads. This is such a great option for children and families as a whole because they can come to the center and have a great time.”
Lamb said the event also provides a simple way for families to celebrate “what is such an important time” and still have the flexibility later “to do whatever they want.”
“This just gives families different options,” she said before the event. “New this year are a few extra bounce castles and an obstacle course, as well as a DJ like in years past. There will be other craft and game stations as well.”
Attendance this year was down a bit, with about 100 fewer guests, something that Lamb said might reflect the position of the holidays with a full weekend and more after both Christmas and New Year’s Day.
“I feel like a lot of families are probably taking advantage of that and might be traveling,” she said. “For me, it’s not the quantity but the quality of the experience.”
At the event, Kyle Southcomb said that celebrating the new year “is about being with family and friends and reflecting on the year and setting goals for next year.”
“I probably won’t follow through with them but it’s fun to try,” he said about goals for 2025. “As far as this event goes, they’ve done a great job. In particular we enjoy the (balloon) drop. It’s something that is a lot of fun for the kids and it’s nice that the community does something like this for the families.”
Marissa Vazguez of Aurora said she has come to the event before and enjoys that “kids can celebrate the new year. They can enjoy it.”
“They’ve got the balloon drop and a lot of things for kids to do,” Vazquez said as she awaited the arrival of the balloon drop at noon. “I brought my three kids and when this is over I’m going to be on mom duty.”
Jessica Barry of Joliet said she has come to the event more than once and that her 2-year-old “has really been enjoying the inflatables.”
“That’s been a highlight and we’ve been here the past few years,” Barry said. “The sensory tables they’ve added are new and my daughter also played with those. We like that there is an option for families that can’t stay up all night. It’s just been a tradition for us and our kids.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon–News.
