Happy Noon Year!

HAYDEN — A dance party on a bubble wrap dance floor and a balloon drop in the middle of the library?

Yep, and there was nothing quiet about it.

“The library always does great events,” said Kevin Butcher of Hayden, who brought his three kids to the Hayden Library on Saturday. "There’s nothing wrong with good, clean fun."

About 150 parents and wee ones in fun socks and hand-colored 2019 headbands rang in the "noon" year during the library's Noon Year's Eve sock hop and balloon drop.

The day featured several activity stations, including soda shop cupcakes, build-your-own goody bags, hula hoops and a bubble machine.

Then, at the stroke of noon, a mass of balloons was unleashed upon the excited little ones, whose parents and grandparents laughed and snapped photos as the children grabbed armfuls of balloons and immediately began popping them.

"It's fun," said Alli Dunham, 7, of Hayden.

Alli said she liked "catching the balloons" and celebrating New Year's Eve because "it's a new year."

Alli's mom, Gretchen Dunham, said they love attending the library events because they're always fun and the staff is wonderful.

"She really loves Miss Mandi," she said. "She’s so warm and fuzzy and friendly. She's super good with the kids. And Miss Lauren, they’re all awesome."

Mandi Harris, youth services specialist for the library, said this annual event has seen up to 300 attendees. She said it's a good thing for parents will small children "because staying up ‘til midnight has a big effect on their kids, especially the next day."

"This way, kids get to participate in traditions that we all know and love in a way that helps keep them healthy and cheerful and in good moods and doesn’t deprive them of sleep."