SCRANTON -- The celebration was in full swing inside the Mall at Steamtown as folks readied themselves to say farewell to 2013.
Tuesday night was the 15th annual First Night party in the Electric City; Scranton’s family-friendly way to ring in the new year.
“This is great actually, it’s wonderful that I can bring the kids down, that’s the best,” said Terry Mandigo from Taylor. “And actually this is the first time I’ve actually been down here. I’ve lived down here for six years and I was so excited that we got the grandkids this weekend, I’m like ‘yes, we’re going to go to First Night!’”
$10 got you inside and throughout the mall there were plenty of things to entertain the young and young at heart.
Brianna Titus brought son Cameron to see the juggler, something he claims he can do as well.
“I can juggle and then drop them and then catch them,” bragged Cameron.
“It’s nice to be able to do things as a family, there’s nothing else going on, we really don’t like the bar scene and it’s actually the first year that he’s old enough to stay up to watch the ball so it’s nice to have something he enjoys,” said Titus.
This year’s theme was “A Salute to Hollywood” with plenty of famous movie characters, including the cast from the Wizard of Oz, making witches hats from balloons.
“Yeah it’s supposed to be about the Wizard of Oz and I love it, I honestly do. It’s purple, my dad’s favorite color. I think it’s amazing,” said Tyler Evans from West Scranton.
“Oh, we love it, we love it. This is our third year and we just have a great time. We really do and this year was Hollywood so you got to do it, you know!” said Connie Mohr, from Connie and Cosmo, a balloon hat maker who was dressed as the Scarecrow.
And with that, goodbye 2013 and "Happy New Year!” shouted Cameron.
The festivities ended at midnight with the fireworks display going off along Lackawanna Avenue.