Bubble bash welcomes new year early
Families at the DuPage Children's Museum ended 2008 on a high note.
A really high note.
Roughly 900 people attended the interactive museum's seventh annual Bubble Bash in Naperville, this year with a "Bach to Bubbles" musical theme.
"It gets them out of the house, (let's them) burn energy, have fun, have their own little celebration," said Rene Schuurman of Darien, who joined the party with his mother, son and daughter.
The "Bach to Bubbles" theme was not only about the music, but about being back at the museum. Last year's festivities took place at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora in celebration of the museum's 20th anniversary.
One thing that has remained consistent, though, is the combination of learning and play, says Alison Segebarth, director of marketing and membership.
"One of the things we try to do with everything we do here is make it purposeful," she said. "Our main themes are math, science and art and we focus everything toward that."
Lisa Tylke of Glen Ellyn is a regular at the bash and brought her children and even the extended family to ring in 2009. "This is a great activity that can include the variety of ages and it gets us up and out of the house early and out of trouble," she said as the children created noisemakers.
They also had the chance to decorate paper party hats and sheet music cookies and make ring-in-the-new-year bells.
"It's really fun to do things you don't do on a regular basis," said Tylke's daughter Claire, 10.
Families feeling extra adventurous also donned silly costumes, picked up their favorite instrument and posed for pictures as a band.
Tigi Dixon's 6-year-old daughter and a friend chose feather boas and butterfly wings for their band photo. The Wheaton resident said the children were having a blast.
"There's so much going on they're happy anywhere you take them," she said.
Musical performers of the professional variety entertained the crowds on all three floors of the museum, topped off by award-winning recording artist Jim Gill on the main stage. Gill had children dancing, giggling and even doing jumping jacks to his songs, which included "I Took a Bath in a Washing Machine."
The show stopper of the event was the countdown at noon, ensuring even the youngest of children would be awake to enjoy it.
"It's a nice way to ring in the new year with the kids because they're not - hopefully not - up at midnight," Naperville resident Sue Sturgeon said with a smile.
As the clock hands made their way to 12, families gathered in the Creativity Connections area for the big countdown led by Mayor George Pradel.
"OK, take a deep deep breath and here we go," Pradel said as children shook the noise makers they created and counted backward from 10. "Happy New Year! Happy New Year in Naperville!"
The museum is giving families something more to look forward to in 2009 as well. Starting Jan. 9, Friday hours will be extended to 8 p.m. for Family Fun Friday Nights, which will feature different themed events each week.