Minneapolis New Year's Eve fireworks canceled

A sampler of Twin Cities New Year's Eve events

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: December 31, 2007 - 10:42 AM

There won't be fireworks over the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis tonight as the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board canceled the annual New Year's Eve tradition, but there are plenty of other places to find family-oriented revelry today.

The Park Board scuttled its Dec. 31 fireworks due to lack of attendance over the past few years, said Dawn Sommers, a spokeswoman for the board. But those longing for fireworks can catch them at midnight at Buck Hill, the Burnsville ski center. The fireworks will cap off a day of skiing, snowboarding and tubing, as well as clowns, magicians, tethered hot air balloon rides and music by the Rhythm Junkies. There will be a torchlight parade at 11:45 p.m.

Welch Village Ski area in Welch, Minn., will shoot off fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Nickelodeon characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and Jimmy Neutron will greet and entertain at the Park at the Mall of America. Tonight's festivities featuring music, stage shows and rides will run from 6 p.m. to midnight.

The Radio Disney Party Patrol presents entertainment during the Wells Fargo Noon Year's Eve at Como Park in St. Paul. Crafts, activities and a countdown to noon runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Roseville Skating Center's John Rose Minnesota OVAL New Year's Eve on Ice runs from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 2661 Civic Center Drive.

For the early-to-bed crowd, the Habitot New Year's Eve just might be the ticket. The Minnesota Children's Museum at 10 W. 7th Street in St. Paul has a beach-theme party, allowing youngsters to play beach games, dig in the sand, and rock to the beat of Will Hale and the Tadpole Parade Band from 6 to 8 p.m.

In Richfield, hundreds of candle-lit luminarias will line a trail through Wood Lake Nature Center's cattails and trees. Along with the walk, activities indoors include crafts, ice block bowling, snowflake hunt and marshmallow roasting. The fun begins at 6 p.m. at 6710 Lake Shore Dr.

Swimming, skating dancing and a balloon drop highlight the Wild West New Year's Eve Party at the Maple Grove Community Center. Festivities run from 6 to 10 p.m.

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