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FAMILIES CAN RING IN THE NEW YEAR IN ATLANTA!

If you are visiting Atlanta this New Year's or if you are new to the area and wondering what a family can do on New Years. Look no further! Here is a list of family oriented activities that you can take the whole family to do!

Animal Encounter at Chattahoochee Nature Center: Visitors to the Chattahoochee Nature Center can get a rare look at one of its permanent residents with this 30-minute live animal presentation. You never know what animals you might be rubbing fur, feathers or scales with. A wildlife biologist or docent presents a specific animal including birds of prey, amphibians and snakes. A beaver or maybe even an American bald eagle might be the star of the show. Other events happen throughout the weekend from guided hikes and raptor encounters to learning about nature through song. Additional animal encounters happen twice each week at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. $5 ages 13 and older; $4 seniors; $2 ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. 4 p.m. Jan. 2. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055,

www.chattnaturecenter.org.

Atla nta New Year's Eve Festival: Atlanta's New Year's Eve festival is literally a big "block party". While some may call it a gathering of thousands of people, it's truthfully a "block party" in all sense as it's hosted outside. The festival is where local food business and musicians show and prove their talents and craft for a day of celebration. Numerous events occur at this festival through out the day such as pie eating contest, games and performances. If you stay at the festival until the hours of midnight, you're sure to see the Midnight fireworks spectacular. Tickets for this event are easy to come by; you can purchase them just about anywhere in Atlanta.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra New Year's Eve: Winding up the 2008 Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts series, this annual New Year's Eve concert performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, has become a popular New Year's Eve celebration of music for Atlantans and visitors alike. The 2008 concert, From Bohme to Broadway!, features some of the most popular songs of all time, including concert, opera and Broadway selections. Following the concert, enjoy a free glass of champagne and a toast to more great music in the New Year. The ASO New Year's Eve concert takes place at Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center.

Center for Puppetry Arts : Sam the Lovesick Snowman by Jon Ludwig, This story begins when Sam the Snowman meets a dog who has been sent outside in the wintry cold. As the dog tells him all about the warm stove inside, Sam can't help but fall in love with the wonderful appliance. This seems like a romance destined to fail. And if things weren't hard enough for Sam, he discovers a young Snowwoman has her eye on him. Based on "The Snow Man" by Hans Christian Andersen, Sam the Lovesick Snowman is a hilarious and heartwarming story perfect for the holiday season! 2008-09 Family Series http://www.puppet.org/

Chick-Fi l-A Bowl Parade: Parades are a big part of the culture in Atlanta, so be one of the locals! Engage in the parade activities by listening to the bands, looking at the old school cars and watching the beautifully designed floats. The parade goes thru numerous sections of the city before reaching its stop at the George World congress Center. On the way to their destination, the parade passes thru Peachtree Street, International Blvd and The Centennial Olympic Park. Get there early if you wish to watch the entire parade since it does not last long, only from 11am-12pm.

Holiday in Lights:
A winter wonderland features thousands of dazzling lights and holiday displays. The Holiday in Lights spirit is carried throughout the Georgia World Congress Center Authority campus, which includes the Georgia World Congress Center, the Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park. 404.222.PARK http://www.centennialpark.com Ongoing Daily 11/15/08 - 1/4/09; check with location for exceptions. Ages: All Ages Time: 7am-11pm Cost: Free

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids: Kids ages 0 to 12 can celebrate the new year from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Free with paid admission. Kids enjoy hand made party favors, noisemakers, and masks. Kids can march in a neighborhood parade. (770)536-1900.

Lawrenceville Rings in the New Year: Annual event features a variety of music groups, including Motown, swing, country-rock, jazz, teen bands and more. Plus magic shows, face painting, balloon artists, inflatables, rock-climbing wall. Evening ends with fireworks. Downtown Lawrenceville Square; Crogan Street at Perry Street; Lawrenceville GA
30045 Info: 678-226-2639 Cost: Free

Medieval Times New Years Eve Family Show: Enjoy dinner and watch a 2 hour jousting show performed by Knights in the ring below. The meal is served without ustensils to add to the authenticity so if you do not like to eat with your hands bring plastic-wear! Discovery Mills in Lawrenceville, ages 5 & up, 6:00 pm, $47.95, $37.95 for children. www.medievaltimes.com

Noon Year's Eve at Smyrna Community Center: Some parents prefer to keep their tinier ones away from the chaos that can be found on New Year's Eve. The folks at Radio Disney and Smyrna Market Village serve up the best of both worlds. Kids get an early start on their year-end celebrating starting at 10:30 a.m. The Radio Disney crew hosts an age-appropriate dance party. Tunes from Hannah Montana and "High School Musical" are sure to be part of a soundtrack to help tykes shake their stuff. Games and contests with prizes help build the anticipation. And moms and dads won't have to worry about keeping the kids up until midnight. A balloon drop and cider toast take place at noon. Free. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Smyrna Community Center; 200 Village Green Circle; Smyrna. 770-434-6600, www.smyrnacity.com, www.radiodisney.com/atlanta

Oce an's Ball, The Georgia Aquarium: Dinner by Wolfgang Puck Catering and toe-tapping tunes by Groovetown - all to the backdrop of some very big fish. Proceeds benefit education programs at the Aquarium. $175 per person 8 pm to 1 am Georgia Aquarium; 225 Baker St. 404.581.4000 http://www.georgiaaquarium.org /

Peach Drop 2009: A day of family-friendly activities including a moonwalk, basketball throw, free face painting and balloon art on Upper Alabama Street. Kid-friendly music, live bands and a performance by Julianne Hough from "Dancing With the Stars," on the Budding Peach Stage. Atlanta's own R&B group, Az1, will also be performing from 5-6 p.m. And at midnight, the 800-pound peach descends the tower to welcome in the new year. Underground Atlanta; 50 Upper Alabama St. S.W.; Atlanta
GA 30303 Info: 404-523-2311 Cost:
Free

Polar Bear Swim at Lake Lanier Olympic Center: An extreme way to knock out the cobwebs after a New Year's Eve festivity is taking a dip in an ice-cold lake. That's what some participants at the 12th annual Polar Bear Swim may have on their minds. This fundraiser for the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club finds the brave, bold and brain frozen donning bathing suits and splashing into Lake Lanier at the finish tower at Lake Lanier Olympic Center. In past years, some have hit the frigid waters in wacky costumes, so don't be surprised if you see Superman diving head first into the drink. Jumpers range from young kids to seniors. Photographers gather around the swimmers snapping shots of their daring feats. It's free to watch the honorary polar bears flip and flop into the water but jumpers pay a fee. Each jumper gets a T-shirt, a warm bowl of soup, a hot drink and a dessert. Free for spectators; $25 per jumper; $50 per family. 2 p.m. Jan. 1. Lake Lanier Olympic Center, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-287-7888, www.lckc.org

Snow Mountain: Three football fields of deep snow with a 400-foot tubing hill and a 30,000-square-foot snow play area. Advance reservations recommended. Tickets sold for two-hour sessions. From 12/31/08 to 03-01-09 Stay for the fireworks and laser show after dark! Stone Mountain Park; U.S. 78 East; Stone Mountain GA Info: 770-498-5690 Cost: $25; $8 parking

Zoo Atlanta: Kids will enjoy a visit from Curious George, dance to music, make crafts, play games, raising a glass of apple juice, a ball drop, and winning prizes. 2:00 to 4:00 pm. (404)624-5822. www.zooatlanta.org

Sources:

Atla nta Journal Constitution

Access Atlanta Website

eHow Website

Nick's ParentsConnect Website

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