OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Children at Science Museum Oklahoma rang in the new year, or should we say noon year, a bit early. The event was complete with crafts, a parade, and of course a little science.
"Happy New Year!" everyone inside of Science Museum Oklahoma shouted after the countdown.
"Instead of making kids stay up until midnight, we're going to celebrate at noon," said Jacob Guadalupe, a SMO apprentice, helping kids at the event.
The morning started with making tools to ring in the new year, with a little learning mixed in.
"We learn about science experiments," said Amelia Thompson, a 5-year-old participating in the event.
The crafts were simple.
"They're things you can find around your house," said Wesley Shupe, another SMO apprentice.
Don't let their materials fool you, they can make loud noises.
"I get to make a lot of noise quickly," said Stryker Thompson, waving around a noise maker made of cups, beads, and a stick.
They also made whistles out of popsicle sticks, paper, and colorful tape.
"Pink, orange, gold and blue," said Amelia Thompson, while wrapping tape around her whistle.
They also made horns made of paper and straws.
To prepare for the parade ahead of the countdown, the children made floats out of boxes, like a volcano.
"These lines are supposed to be lava," said Johnny Nolte. "And I'm also making caution signs."
There were also floats made to look like robots and animals.
"A giraffe's on this side and this in the front," said Amy Nolte.
Of course, what parade would be complete without a cultural sensation.
"I'm making a Wicked float with Glinda and Elfaba personalities," said Valentina Jimenez, while holding on to cardboard version of the iconic wand and hat.
15 minutes before noon, the float-tast-ic parade around the museum began. A long line of participants, dressed as space ships, robots, turkeys, and the sun dazzled the crowd.
Then, the big count down with some Science Museum Oklahoma flair.
"With confetti guns, toilet paper guns, and something called a 'Foggler' which is a fog and bubbler," said Heather Johnston, VP of programs at SMO.
The event proves it doesn't take a lot of money to ring in the new year, just some creativity, imagination, and science.
