ONEONTA _ More than 50 people found a new place to start their New Year's Eve celebration in Oneonta this year.
The festivities began at 5:30 p.m. at the seen unseen storefront at 77 Main St., which is being readied for a mid-January opening, an owner said.
The entrepreneurs partnered with Foothills Performing Arts Center for the events. Tickets were $25.
With no First Night or similar activities in the city on New Year's Eve, business entrepreneur Clint Henderson said he couldn't pass up the opportunity to acquaint people with the space that will support the arts, he said.
"We are a venue and a forum for self-expression in Oneonta," he said.
Thursday's events started with live music, refreshments, children's crafts and an art exhibit until 10 p.m. at seen unseen.
Christina Hunt, development and community relations director at Foothills, said she had been talking for months with Henderson about the lack of family-friendly activities for the holiday, and they decided to collaborate.
Several of those in attendance said they were glad for the activities.
Jon Weiss of Franklin was there was his wife, and daughter, Io. Without the activity, Weiss said he would have been sitting at home.
"It's great to see this kind of lifestyle in Oneonta," he said.
"I think it's pretty cool," said Io, 9. "It's going to be a lot of fun."
Nearby, Maia Kamerling, 7, of Oneonta was having fun playing with her friends, including Io.
"I'm glad they had this," she said.
At 10 p.m., about 30 revelers proceeded down Main Street, some with noisemakers and drums, to continue the party at Foothills atrium, where at 10:30 p.m. there was a dance party and other activities to help usher in 2010.
Among the marchers was Andrew Castrucci of Mount Upton and his 4-year-old son Renzo.
"It's great they are trying to bring a little culture into the New Year," Castrucci said.
At about 10 p.m., Hunt she was pleased with response to the event in the recently constructed atrium. Foothills has had events at its main building in previous years.
She hoped for about 100 people would be at the dance, with others joining the marchers. For children who do not want to participate, there was child care available that included video games, movies and crafts.
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