QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) – The streets of Jackson Heights were abuzz with excitement as the community gathered for their annual Noon Year's party.
This unique celebration, now in its fourth year, allows families and children to welcome the New Year without staying up until midnight.
"Once Covid happened, I missed all my friends. So, at the end of the year, I wanted to see all my friends again. So we started a little party, and a lot of people came," the brain behind this midday festivity, 9-year-old Olive Lily White, said.
The event has grown significantly since its inception. Olive's mother, Amber White, noted that it started with probably 30 to 50 guests and will have at least 200 people, if not more, by noon.
The celebration will take place on 34th Avenue, which has been closed to traffic since the pandemic as part of the city's Open Streets program.
"This closed street has brought everybody together so much because we see each other walking by, jogging, playing ball. Over the years, we get to know our other neighbors who are walking by in the streets, "Amber White said.
The Noon Year's party features music, balloon-blowing, and the much-anticipated countdown.
Olive explained that a bunch of kids can't stay up until midnight, and many people can't stay up until midnight because it's too late for them. So we count down to noon instead of midnight.
"Oh, it's great. My kids' bedtimes are 7:30, 8:30 so they never get to experience the ball drop,” Matthew Lee said. “As a whole group, we get to experience and celebrate the new year coming in."
As the clock neared noon, the community came together, all inspired by a young girl's vision of connection.
Organizers are already looking forward to next year's celebration, expecting an even bigger turnout for the Noon Year event.
