New Year’s bash

With more than 2,000 people expected to attend the annual Fort William Historical Park New Year’s event, newcomer Anthony Marrelli said he isn’t too worried about handling the huge crowds.

Hired during the summer, Marrelli spent his first summer working in the fort’s Education department. He said he worked at some of the fort’s more popular events such as the Great Rendezvous, which gave him the necessary experience to handle large events such as the New Year’s bash on Friday.

"I enjoy doing this job," Marrelli said on Monday. "It’s going to be a fun event with lots of energy and lots of entertainment. I’m pretty excited for it."

Some of the activities at the fort this year will include skating, tobogganing, snowshoeing, dog sledge rides and children’s entertainment including Bobo the Clown and the Tune-a-tics.

FWHP Communications Officer Marty Mascarin said the event has become an annual tradition for families to come and attend. Usually the colder weather has families shivering to keep warm but this year is expected to be much warmer, he said.

"The event has become a bit of a tradition for some folks," Mascarin said. "It’s one of the true family oriented New Year’s events around town. Most of the events around town, and not to dismiss them, are the stereotypical dinner and dance for mom and dad and the little ones are at home with the babysitter."

The New Year’s Eve family frolic will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. The Victoria Inn will also host a buffet in the Visitor Centre from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost for adults is $22.75 and $11.41 for children.