Bubble Bash returns to Naperville venue

Jan Badynski has been counting down the minutes to the new year at noon on Dec. 31, instead of at midnight, for years.

Badynski, a longtime volunteer at the DuPage Children's Museum, revels in a local tradition designed to appeal to children with early bedtimes.

"It's a wonderful time for parents and kids to have fun together," she said. "They make noise-makers. Sometimes they make hats. It's a variety, it's never the same."

The one constant at the annual Bubble Bash is the countdown, the museum's 12-hours-early version of the Times Square ball drop.

"When it's noon, that's their midnight," Badynski said.

The Bubble Bash is back under the Washington Street museum's roof this year, after last year's venture into an Aurora theater for a celebration of the museum's 20th anniversary.

"Many people are happy that it's back," said Alison Segebarth, marketing and membership manager. "Our theme this year is 'Bach to Bubbles.' Our musical performer is Jim Gill, who's very well known, very popular."

Segebarth said music will be featured on all three floors of the museum, with Gill headlining. Gill also will share countdown duties with Naperville Mayor George Pradel.

Visitors will participate in three make-it-and-take-it activities - party hats, noisemakers and new year's bells, she said.

Also, she said, performers from Magical Starlight Theatre's January production of "Cinderella" will be on hand, portraying several characters from the show.

"The exhibits are open, too," Segebarth said, including the bubble exhibit, the celebration's namesake. Refreshments will be served and visitors will get a chance to make an edible sheet music treat.

The party, aimed at children from birth to age 10 and their parents, will be shepherded by regular museum volunteers, including Badynski, and volunteers from the Girl Scouts and from Naperville Central High School's Rotary Interact group, Segebarth said.

Segebarth said the event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit, interactive museum, an organization that backs the idea that "purposeful play is a great way to nurture your soul."

p class="News">If you go

What: Bubble Bash

When: 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 31

Where: DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville

Tickets: $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers; reservations required

Info: (630) 637-8000, ext. 0, or dupagechildrensmuseum.org