Hours before most people began ringing in the new year, more than 50 families started the festivities early at Swampscott Recreation’s First Night Celebration.
The annual event, held at Swampscott High School, featured live performances and the Recreation Department’s take on a Times Square–style ball drop. Before and between performances, children in attendance had their faces painted, took New Year’s–themed photos in a designated photo area, and participated in arts and crafts.
“It’s a great way for families to get out and do something fun for New Year’s without it being super late at night,” said Recreation Director Charlotte Daher de Garcia. “It’s close to home and affordable.”
The first performer of the day, acrobat Anna Li, took center stage in the school’s gymnasium before a bleacher section packed with excited children. Li showcased a variety of tricks and skills, even inviting a few lucky audience members to join her on stage for a dance.
The enthralled crowd clapped along to music as Li rode a bicycle while standing with both feet on the seat. She took it a step further by balancing objects on her head and one foot while only her other foot remained in contact with the bike.
She also introduced the audience to a Chinese yo-yo. Holding two stick-like objects, Li performed several tricks, tossing the yo-yo high into the air before catching it using the tools.
When her time was up, Li departed the makeshift stage to a thundering round of applause.
“You were a very good audience today!” she exclaimed to the Swampscott crowd.
After witnessing what some children may have thought could only be explained by magic, it was time for the second act — more magic. Magic Fred the Magician was up next.
The dozens of eager children seated on the floor in front of him did not remain seated for long. Each of Fred’s tricks caused an uproar. Some members of the youthful audience were amazed, while others appeared skeptical.
The doubt was all part of Fred’s plan. As some children eagerly tried to expose his tricks, he stayed one step ahead, presenting new illusions for the crowd to puzzle over.
Roses appeared out of thin air, snakes eerily transported from one box to another, and Fred even made one lucky audience member levitate.
After Fred’s bag of tricks ran empty, the audience filed into the school lobby.
Following a countdown, dozens of balloons and small, clear plastic balls rained down from the second level of the school. Children jumped up and down with outstretched arms, hoping to snag one of the falling objects.
As the last balloon fell, the day’s festivities came to a close.
Daher de Garcia said 245 tickets were sold for the event.
“I think kids love these types of activities, and for us to be able to bring that to town is really great,” she said. “The magician had all of the kids laughing, and Anna Li was unbelievable.”
