Looking for a fun and family-friendly way to celebrate the end of 2011 and welcome in 2012? Then head to Downtown Fayetteville on Saturday, Dec. 31, for the third annual Party in the Park, sponsored by the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

If past events are any indication, this year’s party promises to be a great time for everyone, with live music by North Carolina-based bands Tommy G and The Fixers and Joyner, Young & Marie on the Bud Light Stage; food and beverages; fireworks and party favors and a children’s area hosted by The Partnership for Children. The stage, hosted by Stoney of 96.5 BOB FM, will include a live feed from Times Square, and as the ball drops in New York City at the stroke of midnight, the dogwood will drop or “blossom” in Downtown Fayetteville!

But partygoers will want to arrive early, said Carrie King, executive director of the Dogwood Festival.

“We have changed it just a little bit this year. We are going to have a fee after 9 p.m., so we want to encourage everyone to get there early so they don’t have to pay to get in. It will be $5 admission after 9 p.m.”

Also new this year, are games to help pass the time while waiting for one of the two fireworks displays and live music.

“We will have 10-12 carnival games for everybody, like the bean-bag toss,” King said. “Kids can play the games as many times as they want. It’s an interactive-type thing for kids and adults, and they’re all free.”

Missing from this year’s lineup is the chili and chowder cook-off, but King assures everyone there will be ample food available for purchase.“We’ll have three food vendors, so we’ll have plenty of food, snacks, champagne and beer.”

And what would a party be without party favors?

“Something new for us this year is a huge selection of glow products, like swords, wands, New Year’s Eve hats, tiaras and Mohawks available for purchase,” said King.

The event kicks off with opening remarks at 6:30 p.m. and standard house music until 8:30 p.m., which is followed by a fireworks show for the children.

“The first band, Tommy G and the Fixers, will take the stage from 9-10 p.m. and then Joyner, Young & Marie will finish the evening out until 12:30 a.m.,” King said. “We’ll stop at 12 to do the countdown and blossom the dogwood and fireworks at midnight.”

Party in the Park has proven to be an increasingly popular New Year’s Eve event for the community, doubling in size from 5,000 attendees the first year to 10,000 the second year.

“Last year, over the course of the entire night, we had 8-10,000 people,” said King. “It really is honestly two events in one. At 8:30 when we do the kids’ fireworks show, there’s like a mass exit of families. And then from 9 to 10, the adult crowd starts rolling in. It has been really well received by families in our community.

“Our goal is to have as big a crowd as we had last year. The focus is just to continue to produce a quality event for the community. We’re doing our very best to make it a free event for the community, but at the end of the day, we also have to pay for it. It is free until 9 p.m., everything is very reasonably priced, and the event definitely gives the family something to do. We’re offering a quality, affordable event, and you’re guaranteed to have a good time.”

The party takes place rain or shine. Chairs and blankets are welcome, but no coolers, weapons of any kind or pets (except service animals) are allowed. For more information, please visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com/new-years-eve.

Happy New Year!

Photo: If past events are any indication, this year’s party promises to be a great time for everyone, with live music by North Carolina-based bands.