SUNBURY - City residents have a bright idea. (Cue the light bulb above their collective heads.)
Mayor David Persing said Sunbury will host its first New Year's Eve celebration Monday night that will culminate with the illumination of a giant "light bulb" as 2012 turns into 2013.
"This is our history, Thomas Edison. Every city has their thing, and this is ours," he said. "We want new and bright things in our future."
The tribute to Edison recognizes his famous experiment at the former City Hotel on July 4, 1883, at
which time a three-wire, overhead electrical system was installed and tested in a commercial building for the first time anywhere in the world.
The 8-foot-high, 50-pound New Year's Eve light bulb, made of reinforcement rods and decorated with 280 LED lights at 4.8 watts each, was made by Kelly's Rod and Railing in the city.
The event, which begins at 6 p.m., will take place on Market Street between Second and Fifth streets. At midnight, the light bulb will be lit up outside the Edison Hotel at Fourth and Market streets.
From 6 to 8 p.m., Kingdom Kids will perform puppet shows in Cameron Park. Other activities for children include roaming shows by magician Brent Kessler, free carriage rides beginning at 9 p.m., opening of the Sunbury Skate Rink and live music outside the Edison.
Persing said various businesses should be open and hosting their own special activities, and food vendors will also be present.
"We want something positive for the people of Sunbury, and we want to built from it," he said.
Councilman Jim Eister said there have been "a lot of phone calls" to city hall asking about the celebration.
"I think we'll have a pretty nice turn out. The committee did a real nice job," he said.
Other events
Sunbury joins a long list of regional communities with New Year's Eve celebrations (see more on Shamokin's coal drop in separate story).
- In downtown Harrisburg, The Strawberry will drop from the Hilton at Strawberry Square to bring in 2013. The festivities, which run from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., will feature a Teen Dance Flash Mob.
- In downtown Hershey, a chocolate kiss will be dropped at the square. Events will be held from 9 p.m. to midnight.
- In Lower Allen Township, the new year will be celebrated with the dropping of a pair of 5-foot tall "yellow breeches" at the bar at Lower Allen Community Park.
- In Mechanicsburg, a wrench will be lowered at Washington Fire Company, 53 E. Main St. The event will be held from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- In Palmyra, a shoe will be lowered at Main and Railroad streets to cap an event that will be held from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- In Lebanon, a 200-pound edible chunk of bologna will be dropped at the intersection of Ninth and Cumberland streets. The event will be held from 10 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.
- In Duncannon, a sled will be dropped in the downtown. The event will be held from 10 p.m. to midnight.
- In Dillsburg, two pickles will be dropped. Mrs. Pickle drops at 7 p.m. while Mr. Pickle drops at midnight.