Children ring in 2015 early with Noon Year’s Eve

CEDAR RAPIDS - Many people are getting ready to ring in the New Year at midnight, but some of Cedar Rapid's youngest celebrators did that earlier in the year.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library hosted its first Noon Year's Eve celebration.

'New Year's Eve celebrations are typically geared toward adults, but children like to mark the end of the year as well,” said Cedar Rapids Public Library program director Mary Beth McGuire.

'We're just trying to get everyone together; today is great for the whole family,” she said.

Kids and parents were treated to snacks, singing, and crafts during today's celebrations throughout the morning.

At noon hundreds of balloons dropped from the second floor of the library, and it was the kids' chance to ring in the new year.

'A lot of kids don't stay up past 10 anyway, at least ours don't, so when New Year's actually gets here, they're all sound asleep,” said parent Joe Bishop.

'It's a great way for the kids to celebrate half a day early,” he said.

The library says today's event went well, but they are already looking forward to ringing in 2016.

'We'll probably have a few mistakes this year, but we'll learn from them and make it bigger and better next year,” McGuire said.