Put on your party hat and plan your New Year's Eve

For some, Dec. 31 will mark the end of the first decade of the new millennium. For others, that happened last year and the day is simply the bookend of another year.

No matter how you size it up, the last night of 2010 is cause for celebration, and Washington County revelers will find plenty of ways to welcome the arrival of 1-1-11.

Hours before the clock strikes midnight, fun seekers can find it at the annual New Year's Eve Family Celebration at the Bielenberg Sports Center in Woodbury. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and for three hours kids can play in bounce houses, make crafts, play miniature golf and navigate an obstacle course. Families also will find bingo, ice skating and an exhibition by the Woodbury Figure Skating Club.

Deejay Blaine Beck, a Woodbury resident, will provide the tunes and lead a raucous pre-2011 countdown replete with streamers at 8:45 p.m.

The event, now in its 15th year, often sells out, said Reed Smidt, a recreational specialist for the Woodbury Parks and Recreation Department who is coordinating the celebration.

"Kids love it because there are so many things happening," he said. "For parents, they can get the children home by 9:30 p.m., leave them with the baby sitter and take off to enjoy their own New Year's Eve."

A limit of 600 tickets will be sold at $8 per person, or $10 at the door if any tickets remain on Dec. 31. For information, call 651-714-3583.

Of course, many will opt to go out for dinner, and scores of restaurants will serve their finest fare. Among them is Stella's On 97 Neighborhood Grille in Forest Lake. Salt crust smoked prime rib, pork loin with roasted root vegetables, Alaskan sockeye salmon and rosemary roasted apricot chicken are the main entrees, said owner Max Stephens. "Bring in the New Year with Stella's" will include half-price appetizers -- shrimp cocktail and stuffed shrimp among them -- from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. Call 651-464-8435.

Pubs, bars and neighborhood hangouts will be jumping with activity, too. At the Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi, Free & Easy will rock in the new year. The band, which was elected to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2008, plays a combination of Earth Wind and Fire, Santana, Tower of Power, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Huey Lewis, Michael McDonald and "Motown meets the Little River Band." The $10 admission includes party favors, champagne and food at midnight. Call 651-429-8640.

Want Irish music? Head over to Charlie's Pub at the Water Street Inn in Stillwater. Paul & Lorraine will hold court with an all-ages show starting at 8 p.m. Call 651-439-6000.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day mark the final opportunities to catch the IBEW's Holiday Lights in the Park. Co-sponsored by King of Kings Lutheran Church of Woodbury, the drive-through sound and light spectacle in St. Paul's Phalen Park features more than 50 larger-than-life holiday sculptures and animated displays. The bulbs burn, and music is provided by such Minnesota artists such as Woodbury's Phil Thompson, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1. Admission is $8 to $10 per vehicle.