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Keith McCord Reporting So, when will you celebrate the arrival of 2007? You'll count it down to midnight on New Year's Eve, right? Maybe, maybe not!
Some community celebrations will take place a day early.
Those community celebrations are called "First Night" for the most part. Salt Lake City plans a lot of activities on Sunday night. But it'll be different in Provo and St. George. Both will hold their parties on Saturday, December 30th!
Will it be Happy New Year's Eve? Depends on where you are this year.
St. George and Provo have decided to do their celebrations a night early on December 30th.
Folks in St. George told us either night is just fine.
St. George Resident: "I think that's great. If people want to be accommodated for their religious beliefs, then go for it."
St. George Resident: "I've heard it's a lot of fun, so I think people will go even if it's not exactly on the day."
The "First Night" websites for both cities promise the usual community-celebration activities, bands, food, dances, art displays and, of course, fireworks. In fact, Provo will have two fireworks shows, one at 9pm, so the younger kids can see them and again at midnight. And yes, there will be a countdown!
Salt Lake City still plans to hold its celebration on Sunday night the 31st. Hotels like Grand America and Little America say they're about full.
Shannon Short, Grand America Hotel: "We're getting reservations, it's moving at a steady pace. We expect both parties really successful and a lot of fun."
Publicity about the December 30th celebrations in Provo and St. George has certainly generated a lot of discussion on KSL.com.
Religion is a common theme, but there are other thoughts:
--"Face it. New Year's Eve is the 31st of December. YOU CAN'T CHANGE IT!" writes one viewer.
--"If you're not going to have your New Year's Eve celebration on New Year's Eve, just cancel the whole thing" writes another.
--Someone else asks: "Should we only have Christmas parties on the day of Christmas?"
--There was this: "Life will go on..."
--And a Utah County woman says: "For me, at least this way, I get to party twice, LOL."
St. George Resident: "But personally I don't care if they do or not."
More than 300 comments have come in so far, and they are still coming in. By the way, there are others across the nation who will celebrate on the 30th. A motorcycle shop in Illinois is holding its party in the afternoon.
And a Renaissance club in Michigan will party on the 30th to accommodate folks who have to work early on Monday!
