Hundreds of youngsters celebrated New Year’s Eve at Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center with their own rendition of a New Year’s toast and fireworks display.
The event, “Glitterific Gala” included a class to make a liquid concoction for a bubbly drink, a New Year’s Eve parade, games, dance-along and balloon drop, all taking place in the middle of the day.
“That was so much fun, colors everywhere,” said Jeremiah Johnston, 10, of Gary, as he described the balloon drop. “I didn’t know anyone had so many balloons, they just came down on our heads.”
The annual end-of-year festivities began in 2009 at the then-new Bellaboo’s facility overseen by the Lake County Parks Department.
This year’s agenda spaced out the myriad activities throughout the day, giving families the opportunity to have lunch or just take a break from the crowd.
The continued popularity of this unique party reflects the need for little ones to have something as special to do on this day as their parents, according to many of those in attendance.
“Each year, my husband and I plan an adult party for friends on New Year’s Eve and the kids always felt left out when they had to go to the babysitters,” said Kendra Grainger of Highland. “We found out about this celebration three years ago and make it a point to bring them here every year. Now, they don’t feel like they’re missing anything, since they have their own age-appropriate celebration.”
Heidi Engleberg of Chesterton entertained out-of-town guests this holiday season, including grandson Benny Peterma, 8, of San Diego.
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“This (party) is a special time for Benny,” she said, as she helped him line up to make the “bubbly, fizzy” drink for the New Year’s toast. “He gets to mingle with other kids in a safe, fun place. And like many other grandparents, I enjoy watching him having so much fun.”
The Jamison family agreed that the event offered opportunities for not only the children, but also the parents themselves.
“My children are little and can’t stay up until midnight, so this is one way for us to plan quality, family time as we end the year,” said Sandy Jamison of Crown Point, as she settled in a booth for lunch with husband Mike and kids, Emilia, 1, and Jude, 6. “We put this on our schedule each season — it’s become a family tradition.”
A bubble machine kept the action going all afternoon, as kids of all ages danced to upbeat music. Even some parents joined in.
“I think the reason it’s so crowded here every year is because they allow the kids to be kids,” said Janet Peterson of Griffith, who had her eight-year-old twin granddaughters in tow. “Where else can they act silly and stay in a good mood? These people plan this party just perfectly, giving the little ones their own space to let go.”
Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center offers a creative, colorful, interactive design to allow children to do what they do best — play, learning as they go. Designed for those aged nine and younger, visitors participate in activities in a variety of rooms, such as the grocery store, art studio, and reading room.
For more information, call (219) 963-2070, or visit www.MyBellaboos.com.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.