BRATTLEBORO-Brattleboro's Last Night 2024 Committee members say they're planning a fun-filled and substance-free day of celebration for all ages on New Year's Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31.
This year, the day will kick off with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (weather permitting) at the Brattleboro Outing Club trails from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trail access will be free and rentals will be available at the Hut between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
A pizza party with music by the Rob Fletcher Trio will take place at the Brattleboro Senior Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with appetizers and door prizes. RSVP by Dec. 27 at 802-257-7570 for this free event.
From 1 to 4 p.m., families can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh/hay rides at Wild Carrot Farm on Upper Dummerston Road (no dogs. please). Adult tickets are $12, children up to 12 years are $6, and children two years and under are free. Each sleigh/hay ride will last about 30 minutes.
Brattleboro's own nationally recognized New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) will host an interactive performance and circus activity. The show will feature student aerialists and acrobats, followed by an opportunity for spectators to circus. This event takes place from 4 to 5 p.m. at NECCA's Trapezium on 10 Town Crier Drive, and admission is free with a nonperishable food donation to Project Feed the Thousands.
Brattleboro Bowl on Putney Road will host an afternoon and evening of bowling. Children's bowling runs from 2 to 4 p.m., and will include rentals for $10 (plus tax) per bowler. The all-ages bowling session at 5 p.m. is $85 (plus tax) per lane, or at 7:30 p.m. for $95 (plus tax) per lane. The cost includes two hours of bowling, shoes, pizza, soda, party favors, music, and a light show. Call to reserve a lane at 802-257-1177. Payment in full is required at booking.
New this year will be a Glow Disc Golf Random Doubles Tournament starting at 5:30 pm at Living Memorial Park. There will be disc prizes and cash payouts. Registration is $15 ($25 on the day of event) at discgolfbrattleboro.com. More details are available at registration.
There will be free ice skating at Living Memorial Park from 6 to 9 p.m.; skate rentals are available for $3. Door prizes and hot chocolate will be available for attendees.
Downhill skiing and snowboarding will take place at the Brattleboro Ski Hill at Living Memorial Park from 6 to 9 p.m. Lift tickets will be available for $5 per person.
Last Night Brattleboro will feature the return of Family Contra Dance from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. featuring Andy Davis as caller and on accordion, Louisa Engle as caller and on fiddle, and Mary Cay Brass on keyboard. All are invited to learn how to contra dance with the whole family or fine-tune their contra dancing skills at the Heart Rose Club (former Shriners Hall). Indoor sneakers are required for this free event (donations are welcome to Last Night Brattleboro).
Finally, the end of 2024 will be celebrated with an early countdown and ball drop at the end of the Family Contra Dance at Heart Rose Club starting at 8 p.m.
The Last Night Committee is made up of local volunteers from town departments, area businesses, and nonprofit organizations and is committed to bringing events like these to Brattleboro every New Year's Eve in keeping with its mission, which is the celebration of family and community. For questions and more information, refer to the Last Night Committee Facebook page for event details and any changes to the schedule on Dec. 31.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.