For immediate release                                             Contact:  Susan Cort Black

Date:  December 14, 2007                                        Phone:  717-576-0076

New Year’s Eve in Hershey is Family Fun

Families looking for something to do this December 31 should look no further than the Third Annual New Year’s Eve in Hershey. With games, the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital stage featuring Mr. Music, and musical acts with cross-generational appeal on the main stage, organizers have kept the focus on family friendliness.

“New Year’s Eve in Hershey has been foremost a family-oriented community event,” Aimee Achorn, event co-chair, said. “Hershey is synonymous with family entertainment, and we’ve extended that to our community New Year’s Eve celebration. It’s one of the things that really sets our event apart from the many other choices available across central Pennsylvania.”

Held from 9 p.m. to shortly after midnight on the corners of Chocolate and Cocoa avenues in downtown Hershey, 2008 will be ushered in with food, music, fireworks, and the signature raising of a Hershey’s Kiss replica on the corner of the Hershey Press Building.

Featured on the main stage, located on Park Avenue, are two diverse bands sure to appeal to all ages.  Songs performed by both groups are available for a preview at the New Year’s Eve in Hershey website, www.hersheynewyears.org.

Kicking the evening off at 9 p.m. is up and coming country act The Alli Gillis Band, currently heard on radio stations with its “Holiday Medley.”  Lead singer Alli Gillis started singing in public with her grandfather, Chuck Townsend, a background doo-wop vocalist, and by the age of 16 has achieved head-turning success.  She’s opened for Lee Ann Womack, Charlie Daniels, John Michael Montgomery and Mark Chestnutt; and performed for President George W. Bush and 13,000 guests during the 2004 presidential campaign season.

“Alli’s talent really impressed us and is something you do not want to miss,” Matthew Solovey, event co-chair, said. “With the crossover success of such artists as Carrie Underwood, we thought it the perfect time to try something a little different and add a touch of country/pop to the event. You won’t be disappointed.”

Beginning at 10:30 p.m., Right Foot Red will have the crowd dancing into the New Year. Billing itself as the ultimate party band, Maryland’s Right Foot Red also has multi-generational appeal with a play list that spans 70's disco/funk, retro/big 80s, 90s/millenium, and modern rock. They perform for live audiences all over the country, with recent appearances in New York, Florida and California. 

“Right Foot Red brings a tremendous amount of energy, sure to have the crowd dancing and laughing on a cold winter night,” Solovey said. “And of course, they’ll welcome 2008 with the standard Auld Lang Syne.”

In addition to the main stage acts, a wide variety of entertainment for the younger set will appear on the Penn State Children’s Hospital Stage, located in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church. Children’s entertainment will include Mr. Music at 9 to 9:20 p.m. and 10 to 10:20 p.m., dance performances by the Hershey School of Dance and One Broadway at 9:30 to 10 p.m.; and the return of local legends in the making, the Pink Yard Flamingos at 10:30 to 11:15 p.m.  Singers from the Hershey Area Playhouse will entertain crowds in the vendor area, which will feature great food and fun provided by local churches, service organizations and businesses.

Children’s games will be provided by and located in front of the First United Methodist Church. Games will be available from 9 to 10 p.m.

With the Kiss Raise at midnight and fireworks welcoming 2008 with a bang, the Third Annual New Year’s Eve in Hershey offers something for everyone.  “Hershey enjoys the best of both worlds: the warm, neighborly feeling of a small town and the amazing resources of our community members, both individuals and organizations,” Achorn said.  “We’re fortunate for the generosity of so many who contribute to make this a memorable event each year.  Hershey’s community spirit truly shines through on New Year’s Eve.”

Fireworks sponsorships in honor of friends and family are still available, and donors can see their best wishes to honorees printed in keepsake event programs. For information on all of this and more, visit www.hersheynewyears.org.

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