Naperville ready to ring in new year

Naperville is taking a literal approach to ringing in the new year.

The city's carillonneurs will give two performances today to welcome 2009.

"It's free, it's easy to get to and it allows people to get together and count down the new year," city carillonneur Tim Sleep said. "We have that tradition in us of people gathering around large clocks, such as in Times Square, so this gives you a chance to celebrate the new year in your hometown."

While all ages are welcome at both shows, the first performance is the more family focused. Starting at 5 p.m. at the Millennium Carillon housed in Moser Tower at the foot of Rotary Hill along the downtown Riverwalk, it culminates with a countdown at 6 p.m.

Sleep will play seasonal classics like "Let it Snow" and "Frosty the Snowman." Two groups from the School of Performing Arts will sing on the steps of Moser Tower and a magician and balloon artist will be on hand as well.

The second performance will begin at 11 p.m. and feature both Sleep and Sue Bergren, assistant city carillonneur. The music in the later show will be classical selections and include a midnight countdown during which all of the bells will ring in sequence, followed by the New Year's staple, "Auld Lang Syne."

Free hot chocolate and other treats will be available at both performances.

New Year's Eve concerts at the Millennium Carillon have been taking place since 2000 when it was constructed. Sleep says crowds have come out every year, even while additional construction was under way and the music was on auto play. Construction on the 158-foot Moser Tower wrapped up in July 2007 and he hopes the popularity of the concerts will continue to grow.

The audience won't be the only ones braving the cold. Sleep and Bergren will play from the cabin about 100-feet up the tower. While the room can be closed off, Sleep says they must open a door or window to hear the music. If the outside temperature is in the 20s, it'll be about 50 degrees for the carillonneurs, but that doesn't faze him.

"You get used to these kinds of things," Sleep said. "It's fun to see the crowd show up so we look forward to it."

If You Go

What: Millennium Carillon New Year's Eve concert and countdown

When: 5 to 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. to midnight today, Dec. 31

Where: Moser Tower at the base of Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk

Info: naperville-carillon.org