Naperville rings in new year — literally
Naperville likes to keep its celebrations literal.
It’s time to ring in the new year — and you better believe there’s going to be bells involved. Seventy-two of them, to be exact, at one of the country’s largest carillons.
It’s how they roll — or ring, rather.
Residents can countdown the new year at the Millennium Carillon at Rotary Hill in downtown Naperville at two different times — 6 p.m. and midnight — and enjoy a host of other activities throughout the day.
It’s called “ringing in Naperville-style,” said Chuck Seidel, Millennium Carillon Foundation board member.
“Naperville tends to do things in a big way and of course the carillon is part of that, it’s one of the largest in the world,” he said. “If you talk about the phrase ‘ring in the new year,’ there’s not many places you can do it better than here. So I say ‘ringing in the Naperville style,’ and that’s what it really is.”
There are two countdowns — one earlier in the evening for families wishing to share a special moment with little ones who may be sleeping, and then another later countdown for adults and party goers.
Prior to the countdown, events take place throughout the day. From noon to 5 p.m. the Downtown Naperville Alliance will host a scavenger hunt in the downtown shops, as well as face painting, music and other activities.
The Riverwalk Eatery will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. Hot chocolate from My Chef Catering will be available.
Naperville Mayor George Pradel will lead the countdowns.
“Nobody can countdown quite like our mayor,” Seidel said. “He has his own way of getting a crowd excited and in a party spirit.”
CLTV news anchor Dolly McCarthy joins Pradel at the 6 p.m. countdown.
Later, live carillon music begins again around 11:15 p.m.
City carillonneurs Tim Sleep and Sue Bergren will play duets, waltzes, and excerpts from Handel’s Royal Fireworks.
An event that has grown since the carillon’s completion in 2000, the New Year’s Eve celebrations have attracted hundreds of people in recent years.
And why not?
“It’s a natural gathering place for people,” Seidel said. “It’s like our Times Square. It’s our equivalent here.”
For details, visit downtownnaperville.com or naperville-carillon.org.
If you go
What: New Years Eve countdown
When: 6 p.m. and midnight Saturday, Jan. 31
Where: Millennium Carillon at Rotary Hill, Naperville
Cost: Free
Info: downtownnaperville.com or naperville-carillon.org