How San Angelo Can Ring in the New Year in a Family-Friendly Way

 

This week concludes the 2015 year and San Angelo has many events to ring in 2016; however, many of these events publicized are adult-oriented with no options for the family scene. It's not unusual for the family events to be geared for Christmas, and New Year’s for the adults.

That doesn't mean though that San Angelo is without fun-filled family options. IWe found some events where families can ring in the New Year in a kids-safe environment. Here they are:

The Stephens Central Library

The Library will be hosting a grand program that benefits the Children’s Miracle Network and provides a fun and safe place to be on New Year’s Eve through New Year’s Day. The New Year’s Game-A-Thon is a 24-hour party beginning at 5 p.m. on Jan. 31 and will end at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

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“Our focus is primary table-top games, but we do have some video games like a WiiU and people are welcome to bring consoles," explained Wanda Green, assistant director of the Tom Green County Library System. "We do have a big projector so we can hook up and set up consoles if anyone wants to bring additional gaming devices for video gaming. The only thing that we ask is that anything be T for Teen or lower because our program is very family oriented.” 

Green also said the event is a 24-hour Game-A-Thon; however, the library doors will lock at 11 p.m. [New Year’s Eve]. People can leave but not enter.

"Then we will reopen the library doors at 9 a.m. [New Year’s Day], so people can come for part of the time or all of the time; however, they want to do it," Green added. "It is a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network. Ours is Shannon, and 100% of the funds go to the items they have on their Children’s Miracle Network wish list, which could be anything from a superhero cape so the hospital is not such a scary place for kids [to car seats and furniture]. There is a wide variety of things on their wish list but that’s what the funds go toward. Anyone is welcome to come play games, so it is completely open to the public.”

Green stated there is no age limit on who can come and join the fun and there is no time requirement; however, any children under the age of 17 staying after 10 p.m. must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

As for the Game-A-Thon, Wanda said, “We have prizes. We have a lot of table-top games. We have a couple of Steam gift cards. We will have some fun prizes, and we will be doing some special games and events throughout the whole event to give out some cool swag. There will be a silent auction as well; I don’t know how many things we will have. The silent auction will end at 3 p.m. on January 1st and all of the proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Network. If people want to donate items, gently used, geeky, nerdy items or gently used games toward that, we will be glad to take them at the Stephens Central Library to place in the auction. Or, if they want to come bid, come bid before 3 p.m. January 1st.”

Interested families can register for a team, create their own, an/or make a donation online at www.extra-life.org. For more information, visit the Stephens Library at 33 West Beauregar, or call 325-655-7321.

“We thought that this was a good opportunity to team up to do something fun for the community and something good for the community," Green stated. "There are no fees, no charge to get in or for games. Come, play games, have a good time, and bring the whole family. Stay for a couple of hours or stay for 24-hours.”

The San Angelo Nature Center

The Nature Center is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve Slumber Party for children ages 5 – 12 from 8 p.m. Dec. 31 to 8 a.m. Jan. 1. Children who attend will have more than enough entertainment.

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“In the early part of the evening, we play games; handle a bunch of animals; they’ll watch a snake getting fed; they will get to feed a couple of things themselves--like throw a mill worm to a skunk. We try to let them feed as many as possible even its just throwing food to the chickens outside," illuminated Kat Bunker, San Angelo Nature Center’s naturalist. "The games we play, we basically split everyone up into two teams. The volunteers who work the evening, they each get their own team. All of the games are geared toward animal trivia, and we provide snacks throughout the evening and a light breakfast. Around 10:30 p.m., we put a movie on that is animal themed and we all watch the movie. Some of the kids are already powering down at that time though, but in the evening, if they are awake, around midnight, we will walk around with flashlights and look at the nocturnal animals because they are all waking up at that point. We have certain animals that are really active from midnight to 4 a.m. It’s a lot of fun. We get to talk about all the animals individually.” 

Bunker is one of the adults who will be spending the night with the kids at the center.

“This is one of three regular sleep overs we have through the year," she stated. "We usually have one for Valentine’s Day and we also have one for Halloween. People can rent us for sleep overs too. We don’t have that many kids signed up so far, and we can have up to 24.”

The cost for the Slumber Party is $25 for Nature Center Members and $35 for non-members. It costs $25 to become a Nature Center member for the full year. The Nature Center has agreed to extend the deadline for registration from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 30. For more information, visit the Nature Center at 7409 Knickerbocker Rd., or call 325-942-0121.

The Level Up Gaming Center

The Level Up Gaming Center, a newcomer to San Angelo, opened its doors on Oct. 31, and plans on ringing in 2016 with a New Year’s Party for all ages!

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Kreston Bates, marketing manager, stated.  “Level Up Gaming Center is like a modern day arcade. We have 15 high-end gaming pc’s and 14 gaming consoles, so we can set up over 50 people playing at one time. On New Year’s, we will have a bunch of multi-player games going for all ages; some will bring their newborns and play for an hour or so while the newborn sleeps. We’ve had a guy come in who was 68 years old to play some football games, so we are something that is new to San Angelo. [We are] definitely trying to get our name out there and have a big New Year’s party [to] start off the year right. We can hold up to 170 people in our gaming center area, which is almost 3,000 square feet.” 

Bates explained that families and children will get to enjoy a Smash Brothers tournament. Anyone can enter and play for $10. They can also come in and play any game they want for $5 an hour. Or, they can pay $25 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., which provides 8 hours of gaming. Also, from 8 p.m. - 2 a.m., the entry fee will be $10 to play the rest of the night.

“That’s what we are about, social gaming," stated Bates. "People come to a central area to get together and socialize while playing. We also have a tech store inside our gaming center where we also repair computers, consoles and laptops and other miscellaneous household items for entertainment. We have two businesses in one.” 

The Center also plans to hold a raffle for an XBOX ONE. People pay $5 per entry, and they can enter up to 10 times. When the ball drops and 2016 is here, The Level Up Gaming Center will call out the winner.

For more information, visit Level Up Gaming Center at 4114 Sunset Dr., or call 325-703-6464.

 

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KCSA 97.1 FM community non profit radio is having a great New Years Eve party at the best venue in San Angelo, the Top Of The Cactus. 15th floor best view anywhere in San Angelo. New Years eve from 7 to 1 am. No alcohol servered, family oriented dance. Food included 25 dollars a person or 40 per couple. Call 325 895 0711 for reservations or go to www.kcsaradio.Com for more information

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