JOHNSTOWN — A full lineup of family-oriented entertainment and activities will highlight the first New Year’s Eve Celebration Johnstown!

The city-wide event kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday and will feature the best in sports, singing, dancing and clowning at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues.

The alcohol-free celebration will feature a gigantic fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. launched by Starfire Corp. of Northern Cambria.

The Tribune-Democrat and Johnstown Magazine are hosting the New Year’s Eve blast.

Chris Voccio, publisher of the newspaper and magazine, said that in an effort to keep the event all-encompassing, a scheduled midnight fireworks display was moved up to accommodate the entire family.

“By having the display at 9:30, families can enjoy the fireworks and still have plenty of time to continue their celebrations afterward,” Voccio said.

The festivities will take place at Central Park, the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, Johnstown Flood Museum,the Central Park Complex Atrium and the Franklin Street United Methodist, St. Mark’s Episcopal and First Presbyterian churches.

The Johnstown Chiefs and the Columbia (S.C.) Inferno will face off at 6. Free public skating will follow the game, though people must bring their own ice skates.

Anyone wearing a Celebration Johnstown! pin, which costs $4, will be eligible for various discounts around town throughout the evening.

Pins are available at:

– The Tribune-Democrat,425 Locust St.

– Heritage Discovery Center, 201 Sixth Ave. in the Cambria City section.

– Johnstown Flood Museum, 304 Washington St.

– Spinelli’s cafe@central park at Franklin and Locust streets.

– Various Somerset Trust Co. locations, including 151 W. Main St., Somerset, and in Johnstown at 116 Market St., 1416 Scalp Ave. and the Giant Eagle at 344 Gou-cher St.

Mary Ann Rizzo, events chairwoman and an advertising sales manager for The Tribune-Demo-crat, said the entertainment for each location has been secured.

“We also have a good base of volunteers who will be available to help people as they attend each event,” Rizzo said.

Performances will include everything from a puppet show and alternative Christian rock to organ music and jazz.

Horse-drawn carriage rides around Central Park will be provided by Misty Haven Sleigh Rides of Davidsville.

While most of the performances will be free, revelers who purchase a pin will receive discounts at local businesses.

Patrons wearing the collectible pins will get deductions at restaurants, the Inclined Plane, flood museum and other shops downtown as well as price breaks on official Celebration Johnstown! merchandise.

Free parking will be available at the Main Street East, Washington Street and Walnut Street garages and at several designated downtown surface lots.

It previously was announced that a fee would be charged at the Walnut Street garage, but that has been rescinded.

Free trolley rides will be available between parking garages and the venues. Free bus service to Johnstown will be available from Giant Eagle parking lots in Ebensburg and Somerset.



Tom Lavis can be reached at 532-5054 or tlavis@tribdem.com.