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Salem group cuts back on New Year’s Eve activities
New Year’s Eve Salem, which is replacing the First Night Salem program, will have only a few venues.
The event committee, headed by David Schwartz and Mike Grimstad, is organizing the smaller celebration in part to save the $350 annual fee for First Night, an international program.
Randy Strader, the coordinator for the program, said the event will be a condensed version of the past.
The event includes two separate musical programs that will focus on rock ’n’ roll at the Kent City Center, 230 N. Lincoln Ave. The performers will include Strader’s local band, Tribute, and Abbey Road, a Beatles tribute band that features John Gilbert of Salem portraying Paul McCartney.
The Masonic Temple, 7786 State St., will be the venue for country, bluegrass and other music. Performers include Bill Schilling and Linda Sigismondi playing modern folk favorites, Stockdale Family Band playing bluegrass and gospel music, and Jose Sigurani will perform Latin American music.
Sugartree Alley will perform in the law offices of Frederic Naragon, 248 E. State St. The entrance is off Sugartree Alley at the rear of his building.
The Salem Historical Society, 208 S. Broadway Ave., will have a program based on bells used to ring in the new year.
Under the “First Night” programs, an adult ticket cost $10. This year, the cost was reduced $5 per adult in response to the economy. Children age 10 and younger get in free. Adult ticket prices will rise to $8 if purchased after Christmas. Tickets are available at all Salem banks, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Salem Historical Society, Kolby’s, Salem Community Center and the Salem Giant Eagle.
The Masonic Temple will provide a turkey and dressing dinner or beef tips over noodles. The Salem Area Amateur Radio Association will serve a traditional New Year’s Eve dinner of sauerkraut and kielbasa. The First United Methodist Church will offer a dinner by Carol Madison Catering to benefit the ROC of Salem, a Christian program.
For updates, visit www.newyearsevesalem.com