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Boardwalk's First Night Offers Family-Friendly New Year's Celebration
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo Dillon and Joey Ippolito, along with Devin Smith and Jason Weber, were just a few of dozens of kids to have a great time bringing in the new year at the First Night in Seaside Heights celebration. For more photos from this event, visit our Web site at www. micromediapubs.com and view our photo galleries. |
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A New Year's Eve celebration without alcohol? A New Year's Eve celebration that's family-friendly and good for all ages?
You'd better believe it. The annual First Night in Seaside Heights celebration provides exactly that.
Families said that First Night gives them a chance to celebrate New Year's Eve with the kids.
"We come here to be together," said Marianna Finamore, Jackson, with 2-year-old Christopher.
The children at the event had a ball. Brothers Dillon, 11, and Joey Ippolito, 4, with Devin Smith, 9, and Jason Weber, ran through the arcade, waving balloon swords and shouting "Happy New Year" to anyone who would listen, all under the watchful eye of Grandma Barbara Grisi of Manchester.
"We're having a good time and won lots of prizes," the boys shouted and held up their prizes.
Celebrating New Year's Eve on the Seaside Heights boardwalk is an annual event for Mary-Jo Abbondanzo and her family.
Abbondanzo, a Trenton resident, and relatives from Yardley, Pennsylvania, meet at the Casino Pier arcade each December 31 for the annual First Night in Seaside Heights New Year's Eve celebration.
Abbondanzo visited the Lizard Guys Animal Show with grandchildren Maggie, 8, Mia, 6, John, 6, and Caroline, 4, who couldn't take their eyes off a turtle that was on display.
"First Night is something the kids look forward to all year long," said Abbondanzo, who owns a vacation home in Toms River.
The First Night in Seaside Heights celebration is organized by the Seaside Heights Business Improvement District and sponsored by the Lakewood BlueClaws.
The boardwalk's Casino Pier, Sonny & Rickey's, Coin Castle, Lucky Leo's and the Carousel Entertainment Center participate in the event and offer entertainment, balloonists, face painting and lots of fun and games.
Joyce Ann Lamparello, Toms River, hardly had a moment to sit down with Julia, 4, who said she saw a snake and a sea turtle, and Kimberly, 6, who couldn't wait to play a game of air hockey.
"We're having fun," the girls shouted as they ran through the arcade to the air hockey table.
"This is fantastic," said MaryAnne Limongello, Toms River, at Lucky Leo's Arcade. She was with Lisa Ann, 11, Michele-Rose, 9, and Michael Nicholas, 8, as her husband, Michael, tried his luck at an arcade machine.
"Tonight at midnight the kids will all run outside and bang on pots and pans," she said. "That is the cheapest form of entertainment," she laughed.
Lori Manfredi, Brick, and Debbie Williams, Waretown, sat at the food court in the Casino Pier arcade while Makayla, 7, Brianne, 4, and Jolee, 6, rode the carousel. "They love the animal show," said Williams.
Joanne LaVista, Toms River, and grandchildren Sophia, 6, Rocco, 5, and Angelina, 18 months, of Jackson, were having a great time.
"The kids love the merry-go-round and playing the arcade games," said LaVista.
Outside on the boardwalk, Megan, 10, and her brother, Aiden, 7, snuggled up to Frosty the Snowman for a picture.
Kristy and Brian Dowd, of Beachwood, celebrated with Annabelle, 10 months, and Caroline, 4.
Caricature sketches were drawn by artists and Chris and Cindy were thrilled with their rendering of 14-month-old Branden at the Coin Castle Arcade.
Kim and Artie Hargis, with daughter Meghann, 9, visited the event with two sets of friends, said Kim Hargis, her sister, Stacey Moore, Middletown, and niece and nephew, Ryan, 6, and Molly, 3.
"Altogether we are seven adults and eight kids and we love coming here on New Year's Eve. It's an annual family tradition. We get to relax while the kids have fun. They ate lunch, enjoyed a show and rode on the carousel," said the excited mom. "This event is an annual tradition for New Year's Eve."
Jeff Davies, an arcade employee, said the day's turnout was great.
"This is good for business," he said, adding, "There are lots of families here enjoying themselves."
"We can't wait to come here again next year," exclaimed Laura and Shawn of Beach Haven, with son, Luke 7. "This is our third year," said the couple, who planned a big dinner with family and friends to ring in 2008.
Wilma Heofling and Sharon Anderson showed Gianna Travaglino, 5, and her brother, Cole, 3, how to best snare a prize from an arcade machine.
"A lot of families are spending the day here," said Brian, an employee at Coin Castle.
"This is our first time here," said Robyn De Cicco of Toms River, with Matthew, 10, Carolyn, 7, and Derek Muniz, 10, who toted a big bag of toys and balloons.
"Who doesn't love Seaside Heights?" said Cindy Wall of Toms River, with Katie, 11, a sixth grader at Intermediate North.
Gene Tobias of Lakewood held onto 4- year-old son, Michael, who sat on a red motorcycle, while Tobias' wife, Lisa and step daughters Melissa and Mary, looked at designer bags.
Six-year-old Dalton Pedrick, Toms River, with mom Susan, shouted happily as he scooped up the many tickets that he won at the Skilo game.
Casey Langshultz, 3, of Silver Beach, and her sister Carly, 5, danced around at the Coin Castle with flowers painted on their faces by artist Tammy Sauer while a serious 3-year-old, Evan, marched up to the arcade face painter and announced that he wanted a bat painted on his cheek.
"This event is so great for the kids," said Sauer, as a line formed with eager children who had their choice of bugs, flowers and other cute tattoos.
A fireworks show over the ocean ended the day's festivities. Most families said they planned to watch the ball drop at midnight with a New Year's resolution to return to the boardwalk next year to have fun with the family at First Night Seaside Heights.
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