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SALT LAKE CITY - Utahns are getting ready to welcome 2011 with celebrations both big and small.
An early countdown was held for families at an event in Hogle Zoo.
At the Salt Palace, Utahns are downtown for the big "EVE" celebration. The event will end with fireworks at midnight.
Provo Town Centre will also host a countdown for people in Utah County. It's chilly but organizers have displays and events outside and inside. They say they've put together something truly unique.
Dozens of children have already celebrated New Years -- counting down to noon at the Natural History Museum. Their parents have already decided what they'll be doing to ring in 2011.
"Mostly spend time with the family," said Scott Cooley. "Play some games."
I know people are a little bit concerned about the weather. We had some great lessons that we learned last year, and one of those are that we need a lot more indoor activities, so 75 percent of the programming this year is inside the Salt Palace, Clark Planetarium, off-Broadway theatre, Broadway Cinemas and Temple Square.
–Jason Mathis
Michelle Clough just wants to stay out of the cold. "It's going to be freezing," she said. "We were going to go out, but it's just too cold with a baby."
Staying indoors seemed to be the theme. Reservations are a hot commodity at Market Street Grill downtown. They were packed all day -- and manager Ed Valencia expects it to only get busier into the night.
"We received quite a few reservations that actually started last week," he said. "I guess people don't want to be out there in the cold so they're going to hang out in the restaurants and bars."
The temperature when the clock strikes twelve is predicted to be in the single digits.
"Most of the activities this year are inside," said Jason Mathis, executive director of the Downtown Alliance. "I know people are a little bit concerned about the weather. We had some great lessons that we learned last year, and one of those are that we need a lot more indoor activities, so 75 percent of the programming this year is inside the Salt Palace, Clark Planetarium, off-Broadway theatre, Broadway Cinemas and Temple Square."
EVE activities have already started early Friday evening. They have activities for all ages.
Those celebrating New Year's Eve in downtown Salt Lake City have an opportunity to get there for free. All night along the Wasatch Front, EVE tickets are also valid fare for TRAX and FrontRunner trains.
Children 10 and under may ride for free with an adult ticket holder. Also, TRAX and FrontRunner will run late trains.
The last TRAX train to Sandy will depart from Gallivan Plaza a little after 1 a.m. The last FrontRunner trains leave Salt Lake at 12:15 a.m. and 1 a.m.
E-mail: jstagg@ksl.com
