STORY:
Pennsylvania's Traditions Underscore NYE

Cities across state uniting to bring in New Year's Eve with memorable traditions

This New Year's Eve, cities and towns across Pennsylvania will welcome the millennium with timeless traditional celebrations. With memorable events such as around-the-clock parties in Philadelphia, extravagant river cruises in Pittsburgh and black tie galas in Hershey, the Commonwealth will begin the new century with a joyous bang.

Philadelphia begins its celebration early with the Bridge to Millennium. Running from December 26, 1999 through January 2, 2000, guests will experience a free, interactive, historic retrospective exhibit that is dedicated to the past, present, and future of Philadelphia and the world.

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on New Year's Eve, a unique 24-hour event tops off the celebration. Every hour, one of the 24 clocks inside the Convention Center representing the world's time zones will strike midnight. Confetti will float to the ground as satellites beam to that time zone and to a special spotlight event in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia's celebration will also debut two Light Legacies on New Year's Eve featuring the permanent lighting of the William Penn statue atop City Hall and the illumination of the Schuylkill River Bridges. The party continues until January 1, 2001 with a Gala celebrating the 100th Anniversary of City Hall.

Another way to ring in the millennium is through a dinner dance cruise in either Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. Both cities will have dinner, dancing and entertainment for those who join them as they sail into the new century.

Philadelphia's millennium cruise will be aboard the city's most luxurious riverfront cruise ship, The Spirit of Philadelphia. The cruise includes a six-hour open premium bar, two live dance bands, party favors, streamers, noise makers, a midnight fireworks display on the river, a sit-down deluxe dinner freshly prepared on board and champagne to toast the millennium. For more information individuals can call 215-923-1419 and groups can call 215-923-4993.

Pittsburgh's two dinner dance cruises will be aboard The Gateway Clipper Fleet's Majestic and Party-Liner. Passengers on the Majestic will enjoy five hours of entertainment and an exquisite dinner buffet. Oldies band, Johnny Angel & the Halos will provide dance music from the 50's, 60's and 70's. Party hats, noisemakers, a souvenir glass, and a complimentary bottle of champagne will all be provided as cruisers get an extravagant view of the city's fireworks display. The cruise is $175.00 per person with a non-refundable deposit of $75 per ticket required within five days of placing the reservation.

On the Party-Liner, guests will enjoy the same exquisite dining and great entertainment. A live band and disc jockey will be playing the best party and dance music. The cost is $150.00 per person, with a $75 deposit per ticket due within five days of placing the reservation.

New Year's Eve in HERSHEY will be one "sweet celebration" at The Hotel Hershey. The Four-Diamond resort is offering two and three night packages including a black-tie New Year's Eve Celebration. In addition, there will be a Last Brunch of the Decade, a New Millennium Brunch, and lavish decade parties with music and cuisine. Deluxe accommodations, theme activities, and signature gifts will all help commemorate the occasion. For more information please call 1-800-HERSHEY.

In the Laurel Highlands, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa has designed a variety of enticing packages to make the turn of century a memorable experience. Guests can choose from one of four weekend packages including Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. Entertainment includes skiing, a Monte Carlo Casino night and live performances including the legendary Ray Charles. For more information call 1-800-422-2736.

First Night State College celebrates the millennium with a Grand Procession that will include nightly fireworks, music, dancing and streets lined with Ice Sculpture Magic. The events run from December 30, 1999 through January 1, 2000. There will be hands-on family fun workshops, food, fantasy and performing arts in downtown State College on the Penn State Campus. For more information on this alcohol-free celebration please call 1-800-358-5466.

First Night Bloomsburg will have a wide variety of indoor and outdoor events to keep art lovers busy this New Year's Eve. Indoor events will range from theatre, comedy, poetry, music, storytelling, magic and clowning for all ages. There will also be free outdoor festivities such as a New Year's Resolution area, storefront window performances, remembrance light park and strolling entertainers. Events will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the grand opening procession and continuing until the midnight finale & fireworks. For more information please call 1-800-847-4810.

Allentown will begin its millennium celebration at the Hamilton Mall. The event will last from 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. and will feature live DJ's, a black tie gala, fireworks and laser light show, ethnic foods, street performers, horse and buggy rides, a scavenger hunt and other activities. Each year Warren County provides a family-oriented celebration in downtown Warren. At midnight a ball drops and fireworks ignite the sky. There are several other fun-filled events all through the night to keep families entertained until midnight. For more information please call 814-726-1222.

If travelers are making plans to drop-in for Pennsylvania's millennium celebrations this year, they'll have more than a "ball" of fun. When the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve many Pennsylvania party-goers will be surprised to see what drops from the sky. The following is just a sampling of the unique town traditions throughout the Commonwealth.

TOWN DROPS
• Lancaster Red Rose
• York White Rose
• Dillsburg Pickle
• Bloomsburg Raises a Ball
• Harrisburg Strawberry
• Wilkes-Barre Diamond
• Williamsport Baseball
• Lebanon Bologna
• Pottsville Ball
• Warren Ball

Pennsylvania's travel and tourism website (www.state.pa.us/visit) provides web surfers with detailed information on attractions and events throughout the state.

DATE: 10/21/99

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