NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
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The City of Orillia invites the community to the Orillia Recreation Centre (255 West St. S.) to welcome 2025 with a free New Year’s Eve Bash on Dec. 31, 2024.
“The New Year’s Eve Bash provides a sense of community as we come together to celebrate the end of 2024 and welcome 2025. The city is proud to once again host this free, family-friendly event at the Orillia Recreation Centre. We invite everyone to join us to celebrate as we ring in 2025,” said Mayor Don McIsaac.
The New Year’s Eve Bash will run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with activities for all ages, including face painting, crafts, open swim, and a variety of bouncy castles and inflatables. Attendees can enjoy complimentary popcorn and cotton candy and create lasting memories at the photo wall. Don’t forget to share your photos on Facebook and Instagram using #CelebrateWithOrillia for a chance to win an exciting prize.
In line with the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability, this year’s event will replace the traditional balloon drop with a video board countdown and confetti cannons featuring recyclable confetti.
“Our goal is to offer a memorable celebration while being mindful of our impact on the environment,” said Megan Visser, recreation program supervisor. “The video board countdown and eco-friendly confetti promise to bring just as much fun to our countdown experience.”
Foodies can look forward to savouring local flavours with the Patty Wagon available for purchase outside of the facility. We encourage everyone to bring a reusable water bottle to the event, and a hydration station will be available. Visit orillia.ca/RecreationEvents for our guide to the New Year’s Eve event to get the most out of this exciting night.
Sharing Place food drive
This year the City of Orillia is partnering with The Sharing Place Food Centre and asking attendees to bring a top-needed item to donate at the event. The Sharing Place Food Centre is in need of the following items:
- Canned meat and fish
- Canned soup (vegetable, chicken noodle, mushroom, tomato)
- Canned vegetables (corn/peas/beans/tomatoes)
- Peanut butter
- Pull-tab canned goods
- Rice
- Toilet paper
- Sugar
- Flour
- Tea bags
- Instant and ground coffee
- Low-sugar cereal
- Hygiene items
- Dog and cat food
Additional New Year’s Eve activities
In addition to the festivities at the Orillia Recreation Centre, Orillia Home Hardware is sponsoring two free holiday skates at Rotary Place arena (100 University Ave.) from 1 to 1:50 p.m. and 2 to 2:50 p.m. p.m. on Dec. 31, 2024.
Free transit will be provided throughout Orillia on New Year’s Eve, thanks to Orillia Tim Hortons, from 4:45 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. (last run will be at 1:15 a.m. from the transit terminal), ensuring safe and convenient travel for everyone.
The Orillia New Year’s Eve Bash began in 2011 as a community-focused event to provide families and young children with a special way to welcome the new year. Since its inception, it has become one of Orillia’s most popular events, drawing more than 2,000 attendees annually.
For more information on the event and full schedule of activities, visit orillia.ca/RecreationEvents.
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