THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2008
Ring In '09 On The Plaza
For the past six years, Des Plaines Special Events Commissioner Jim Wozny and his New Years Eve Committee have coordinated "New Year's Eve On The Plaza," a community event held in downtown Des Plaines and headquartered at the Des Plaines Library. The event has provided family entertainment on New Year's Eve.
Wozny is more than enthusiastic about sharing his impressions of this upcoming New Year's Eve event.
What are some of the new-featured events at this year's event?
Our New Year's event is headquartered out of the Des Plaines Library. As in year's past there are several satellite sites that offer entertainment. For example, free bowling is offered at Sim's, karaoke is conducted at the First United Methodist Church, Bingo is offered at St. Mary Church Auditorium, and Arts and Crafts are offered at the History Center, 789 Pearson St. Live entertainment will once again be featured on the main stage at the Library building. Special children's entertainment is offered at the Des Plaines Theater. There will be two new acts highlighting this year's kids' entertainment. One will be "Circus Boy," a juggler comedian entertainer who will be riding the world's smallest tricycle.
Opening the event from 7:30---8:30 p.m. we are proudly presenting Ronald McDonald in a new show at the theatre entitled, "Get Moving With Ronald McDonald."
How many people do you expect New Year's On the Plaza to attract?
We are anticipating between 5,000 and 6,000 attendees, consistent with the numbers from last year. It always depends on the weather. If it is a great night, we'll probably have more. Our annual diamond ball drop takes place outdoors at Library Plaza at midnight.
How much money do people need to bring to the New Year's event? And how is this event funded?
The beauty of this event is that there is no admission to get in. Everything is free, thanks to our wonderful sponsors. To date, 96 local businesses have donated gift certificates and/or monetary amounts to support this year's event. This truly is a family event, free to the community.
Do you still have opportunities for sponsorship and, if so, what are they?
We are still accepting gift certificates for bingo and karaoke. Open sponsorships of $600 each include inside Library decorations, Library entertainment, Des Plaines Theatre, and the outside novelties.
What will be new this year at midnight?
We are moving the diamond drop at midnight from the flagpole to the 4th floor patio of the Library. This will increase the height by about twenty feet making it a brighter and more visual display.
How did New Year's Eve on the Plaza get started?
The idea for New Year's Eve on the Plaza began with Mayor Tony Arredia who felt very strongly that the community should host a non-alcoholic New Year's Eve event that would be family oriented. The Mayor expressed his interests to the Special Events Commission, of which I was a member, and the group began making his idea a reality.