By MADDY VITALE
Technicolor flames. Liquid nitrogen turned into a cloud. Giant balloons and a few big bangs made up a science show. Then there was a musical group, Imagination Movers, that did everything but stay still as they amused the crowds at the Music Pier.
And if that wasn’t enough to ring in the New Year in Ocean City’s family-friendly style, amusement rides, Mummers and magicians far from rounded out an abundance of entertainment in an eclectic mix that — at least — should satisfy most tastes.
Crowds packed some of the entertainment venues that featured a total of 70 shows and events.
There were 10,000 admission buttons to First Night, but thousands more people ventured into the resort to enjoy the holiday.
For just $20 per person, “First Night” revelers had an all-inclusive ticket to a multitude of entertainment venues. The Trammps, a ’70s disco band, headlined at the Music Pier later in the evening and the celebration was capped off by fireworks at midnight
Justin and Melissa Geller, of Ardmore, Pa., came down to visit Justin’s mom, Kathy Geller, and the rest of the family in Ocean City.
Their twin 4-year-old girls, Allie and Emmie, enjoyed Imagination Movers and danced along to the music, tapped their feet and waved their arms in the air as the performers asked the audience to follow along.
“We were coming down to visit and thought since we were here, we should come to First Night,” Melissa said. “The girls are having so much fun. There is just so much to do.”
Justin added, “I like that we could bring the kids out. It’s more fun to go out with them. Besides, they like to party more than we do.”
And then the Imagination Movers used a device to sling rolls of toilet paper into the crowd. The audience erupted in laughter.
Some kids danced in front of the stage, while others swayed with their parents and clapped their hands.
Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen summed up First Night.
“It looked like a summer night with the crowds on the boardwalk and streets. First Night was lucky to have great weather and a great lineup of activities and entertainment,” he pointed out. “From the rides at Wonderland Pier to the Trammps at the Music Pier and everywhere in between, families were having a good time celebrating together.”
There were 20 venues throughout Ocean City that held events and activities. The Sports and Civic Center at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk was a popular spot.
For one, inflatable amusements filled the center. And there also was an ice skating rink with the help of some artificial ice over a paved area outside of the center.
Families tried their hand at skating.
Some kids grabbed ahold of the ice carts to steady themselves, while others held their parents hands as they navigated the slick surface, laughing and chatting.
Ciara Stupp, of Millville, took her daughter, Corrine, 7, to spend a few days in Ocean City and enjoy First Night celebrations.
Corrine was trying her hand at shooting hoops in one of the inflatables at the Sports and Civic Center.
“We try to come every year,” Ciara Stupp said. “We have mother-daughter time.”
Janet and TJ Habina, of Blackwood, brought their daughters, Audrey, 6, and 2-year-old Lydia for a night of family fun.
“Everything they do in Ocean City is so family-oriented,” Janet said. “We came down for the festivities. The kids love it.”
Many other families took to the Boardwalk to enjoy the amusements, including the indoor rides at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.
Gillian’s famous Ferris wheel, illuminated in bright lights that looked like a peppermint candy for the holiday, could be seen from the Ninth Street Bridge, which also was illuminated in festive colors.
Stephanie Denicola, of Philadelphia, watched as her daughter, Korbyn, 4, waited in line for a ride at Wonderland Pier.
Korbyn giggled as she hopped in line.
“My in-laws have a home in Ocean City, so we are staying down for a few days,” Denicola said. “Korbyn has a big sister, Raisa, who is over at another ride with her dad. First Night is perfect for them.”
Denicola joked that she and the kids probably wouldn’t stay awake for later entertainment at the Music Pier.
“We have already done the inflatables, and ice skating,” she noted. “It is just a great night for all of us. We will see how we do.”
Like Korbyn and her sister, Raisa, children filled Wonderland Pier and rushed from ride to ride, tugging at their parents to whisk them off to ride after ride.
Some chose the carousel, others picked the bigger kid rides, while others enjoyed boating, race car driving and even taking a train ride on a track above Gillian’s.
Tracy DeLucia, of Sicklerville, and daughter, Taylor, 9, enjoyed time with family friends, Marissa and Mike Ritz and their two children, Stella, 1, and 9-year-old Noah.
DeLucia, who has a vacation home in Ocean City, and her daughter and friends were staying at the home for the holiday weekend.
The kids took a ride in a big, green frog. “She loves this,” DeLucia said of her daughter Taylor. “This is our first First Night and we plan to make it a tradition.”
