Downtown Countdown New Year’s Eve Celebration Schedule Announced

Bangor, Maine - Downtown Countdown to 2014, presented by Beal College, takes place on Tuesday December 31st, with kid’s festivities beginning at 6pm, music and adult festivities starting at 7pm and ending with the iconic beach ball drop at midnight in West Market Square.   The event will take place at various indoor and outdoor locations throughout Downtown Bangor.

Along with the great mix of music and other entertainment, organizers this year have added a classic looking trolley to bring people around to the various venues throughout evening, a roving magician, a caricature artist, a fire performing troupe, the Timber Tina Lumberjack Show and much more.

This year’s Downtown Countdown will be second year of the Mr. & Mrs. Paul Bunyan Contest.  Ten contestants will have the chance to compete for prizes and the title in an entertaining and spirited pageant style competition.  Judges will score and officiate over a flap jack eating competition, mechanical bull riding, ax throwing with Timber Tina and other contests that are befitting of the Mr. & Mrs. Paul Bunyan name.

Except for the Bangor Daily News’ Gala at the Bangor Public Library and the Penobscot Theatre’s performance of Forever Plaid, the event is free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of the event’s sponsors.   In particular, Beal College, The First, Woodard and Curran, Emera Maine, the City of Bangor, Caron Signs, Hollywood Casino and others have stepped up to make this event possible.

Organizers are excited to announce that there will be a live telecast of The Nite Show with Danny Cashman from Downtown Bangor.   The telecast, which will be aired on WABI Channel 5, will include the live ball drop from West Market Square at midnight.

Musical acts for this year include When Particles Collide, The Retrorockerz, Maine Street R&B Revue, DJ Meetch and The Jukerockets.

“It is important to note that the Downtown Countdown has something for everyone,” says Jason Bird, the City’s Downtown Coordinator.  “The Bangor Public Library, the Maine Discovery Museum and the University of Maine Museum of Art all have activities that are kid and family friendly.”

To find the full list of events and activities, Bird encouraged attendees to visit www.countdownbangor.com.

The Downtown Bangor Partnership promotes and markets activities that enhance the distinctive identity of Downtown Bangor, encouraging retention and growth of commercial, residential, and cultural life within the downtown district.  For more information on the Downtown Bangor Partnership visit www.downtownbangor.com.