A  New Year’s Eve celebration will mark the transition from 2012 and the start of a new page in Allentown’s history.

On December 31, the 800 block of Hamilton Street will be filled with jubilee during a free and family-friendly outdoor celebration. An array of local performers include: She Said Sunday, Dave Fry, the Gilbert Singers, the Allentown School District’s City Orchestra, Helm’s Deep, Jesus Daniel y Grupo En Secuencia, Xcape Dance Studio and more. Other features include a 20-foot-long ice slide and ice carving by Sculpted Ice Works, free carriage rides and fire performers from The Burning Hearts Fire and Light Theater.

All new for this Grand Finale – referred to as the “Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party” is a Craft Beer and Wine Garden which will feature a variety of brews from the Brew Works and Allentown Beverage and Vynecrest Vineyards. Commemorative mugs will be available for purchase for $5 and discounts on beverages will be available for mug-holders – refills will be $3.

An indoor Kid’s Korner will offer games, face-painting, Puttle golf and more. A very special feature is Pip the Mouse puppet shows. Performances will take place throughout the evening. Pip, who is celebrating his 50th birthday during 2012, is returning to the spot of his debut during this New Year’s Eve event.

Other features include Zumba Dancers who will add to the energy of the evening. Children will be able to explore a City of Allentown fire engine and Balloons by the Party Girls will create a festive atmosphere. Food will also be available for purchase.

A special portion of this official New Year’s Eve Grand Finale is the “Semiquincentennial Soiree” which will be held at the Allentown Brew Works on Level Five. The Soiree is open to anyone but limited to 200 guests and tickets are required. The cost is $85 per person and includes fare by Chef Michael Honeywell, open bar, entertainment by Lucky 7 and commemorative souvenirs.

Another feature of the indoor event is a silent auction with prizes including historical items and recreational items. Among the prizes is a tour of the Mack Trucks Customer Center, Mack Museum and a ride in a new Mack on the company’s test track – for four people. .Additional prize donations are welcome.

The spectacular highlight of the evening will be a Bell Drop at midnight marking the transition from Allentown’s 250th Anniversary year to the future. For this portion of the evening, all attendees will join together. At the beginning of 2012, similar to the annual New York City Times Square midnight countdown and ball drop, Allentown hosted its inaugural bell drop. A bell was chosen for the drop because of Allentown’s historic connection to hiding and protecting our nation’s Liberty Bell at Zion’s Church during the Revolutionary War. As was done on December 31, 2011, a spectacular fireworks display will begin once the bell drop is complete.

Pastor Bob Stevens of Zion’s Church will conduct a special New Year’s Eve Service at 5:00pm to mark the end of the church’s 250th Anniversary year. Pastor Stevens will be dressed in colonial garb and will speak on colonial New Year’s Eve traditions. Zion’s Church Director of Music Jane Knotek will be playing special music at the service.

At 8:00pm there will be a ceremony for the lifting of the bell – so families with younger children can participate in the excitement of the celebration. At this time Pastor Stevens and Pip the Mouse from Zion’s Church will ring Allentown’s Town Bell.

Everyone is invited to purchase a commemorative bell and ring-in the anniversary no matter where they are. Commemorative bells are on sale for $9.00 right now at various locations. They can be purchased at Allentown City Hall, America On Wheels Museum, and the Lights in the Parkway Gift Barn.

Reservations for seats at the “Semiquincentennial Soiree” can be made by calling Wendie at 610-433-7777 or e-mailing her at Wendie@thebrewworks.com. Seats are limited so don’t delay.

More information can be found at www.allentown250.com.