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player ready...Hundreds of youngsters found the perfect opportunity to ring in 2018 with their families by attending a daytime version of a New Year’s Eve gala.
The event, 2018 Glitterific Bellabration: A Royal Ball & Family Celebration took center stage on Dec. 31 at Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center.
“We’re here every year, it’s become a tradition for our family,” said Deanna Moore of Hobart, as her family was one of the first to arrive for the day-long party. “This is the place to be.”
The day’s program included games, crafts, parades, story-telling and a chance to make a drink for the Bubble & Fizz Toast.
Bellaboo’s employee Alexandria Abramson did the honors for the latter, using soda and ice cream. “The kids love this,” she said, as she lined up the cups and ingredients in the children’s cooking area. “It’s a great way to incorporate learning with fun.”
This is the ninth year for the annual New Year’s Eve day party. Attendance has continued to grow each year, according to manager Natalie Garza.
“This is a safe, fun place to ring in the new year,” she said. “Our New Year’s Eve celebration is unlike anything else offered in this area.”
Indeed, in addition to the activities mentioned above, the traditional Balloon Drop also was on the day’s agenda.
“We come to this every year and the balloons are always the highlight for my kids,” said Keri Parker of Merrillville. “After bringing them here for the day, I don’t feel guilty when my husband and I get a sitter and go out by ourselves at night to celebrate the new year.”
Last year’s crowd numbered 438, and by noon this year, it looked like that number would be surpassed. Visitors came from near and far.
Carmen Andres and her family of San Jose, Costa Rica are visiting friends Jody and Jennifer Rodd of Valparaiso. The Rodd’s previously attended the yearly New Year’s Day party and felt it would be beneficial for all their children.
“We have some celebrations for our kids to enjoy, but nothing like this. It’s so different here,” Andres said, as her sons lined up to make the New Year’s bubbly drink. “I’d like to see something like this back home. I’m definitely going to mention this to someone.”
Many Grandmas and Grandpas also got in on the action during the day-long schedule.
Maureen Swanson of Portage welcomed the opportunity to spend quality time with her two grandsons, McCoy, 7, and Oliver, 4. But like many others, she wanted to feed them from the cafeteria so they would have the energy to complete everything on the agenda.
“This (event) is really nice, everything is so planned out,” she said, as lunch arrived at their booth. “And I’m really enjoying this day too.”
Once the Balloon Drop took place in the middle of the day, a few more activities were yet to be experienced. Glitterific Story Time and a wrap-up New Year’s Eve Parade found the youngsters grinning ear-to-ear as they chatted with each other about their day’s experiences.
“I’m having so much fun, I don’t want to leave after the other things we’re doing,” said James King, 7, of Hobart, still holding his handmade noisemaker, while trying to catch a balloon from the drop. “This place is so cool.”
For more information about Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center, call (219) 963-2070, or visit www.MyBellaboos.com.
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Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.