An estimated 1,500 multicolored balloons dropped at noon at the annual Happy “Noon Year” Party at the Park Center in Glenview’s The Glen on Sunday, Dec. 31.
And no, the balloons were not filled with helium. Helium shortage.
Just kidding.
About 1,000 people attended the 90-minute paid morning event with 220 children registered, said Kara Graber, visual arts and recreation supervisor for the Glenview Park District.
The party took place in the Park Center’s large gym. Adults upstairs using the oval walking and running track seemed to be entertained with the goings-on below where large jump-on inflatables, table activities and a dance party kept families and kiddies busy.
The large netting on the ceiling on one side of the gym that held the 1,500 balloon long pod, was something festive and rare to see, coming only once a year. Balloons dropped with a group countdown at noon. They looked like gumballs in a way.
Graber is looking forward to 2024 and the Glenview Park District has many offerings for the new year, Graber said.
“2024 is going to be so much fun,” Graber said. “We have so many events planned. We’re already getting ready for (summer) camp.
People can start registering during January, Graber said.
“It’s going to be a great year,” Graber said.
An estimated 10 Glenbrook South High School students from the school’s Interact Club volunteered.
“They are absolutely amazing, I can count on them, I’m not worried when I email them to come do an event, I know that they will be here,” Graber said. “This group, especially this year, they have been so amazing and I am grateful.
“I am so appreciative,” Graber said with a smile.
Kevin and Nicole Weigel of Glenview, the parents of two young children, had extended family in town from Ohio who also attended the event.
“We wanted them to see our town,” Kevin Weigel said of visiting relatives. “A lot of them, it’s their first time visiting, we wanted to show them a good time.”
For 2024, Kevin Weigel hoped the children would, “continue to grow, stay healthy, and keep being involved in the community.”
Sourya Biswas and Adithi Chakraborty of Glenview made sure their children Arihant Biswas Chakraborty, 6, a first-grader and Aishani Biswas Chakraborty, 5, a kindergartner, celebrated the New Year Glenview style.
“This is great,” Biswas said of the event. “We moved to Glenview only in April and we are loving it here.
“We have signed up for a number of activities with the Glenview parks department, so they go to swimming class regularly, we are signed up for soccer classes,” Biswas said of Arihant and Aishani. “We’re all loving this.”
To the Glenview Park District, “Please continue, we appreciate all your efforts, getting the kids all together, especially in this climate when they don’t really get a chance to play outside, so having bouncy houses in an enclosed environment indoors, that really works out,” Biswas said.
Dhyana Brummel of Glenview was delighted to see son Myles McCardle, 7, a first-grader, rock the hula hoop challenge.
“I was amazed, I didn’t know he could do that,” Brummel said of seeing Myles demonstrate sudden hula hoop skills.
“He’s got a lot of energy,” Brummel added about Myles.
Weihao Chen and Jessie Wu of Glenview attended with children Archie, 3, and Asher, 6 months.
Chen was seen dancing with Asher as Asher sat on his father’s lap while the disc jockey played music and led a group dance routine for families to participate in.
In a shout out to organizers for planning the event, “Thank you to the Glenview Park District,” Chen said.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
