KelownaÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s family focused Valley First New York New Year's event takes over Stuart Park tonight (Dec. 31) at 6 p.m.

The evening will feature:

• Skating on Stuart ParkÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s ice rink;
• Drop-in games and activities in the Kiwanis Club of the Central Okanagan Snow Zone;
• Thousands of free glow sticks and face painting for kids;
• Food trucks offering warm drinks, mini donuts, hot dogs, and more.

Live music will help keep the energy high throughout the evening:

• 6 p.m., Homestretch Band will perform classic rock with a country twist;
• 7 p.m., Rule 857 will play hits from the Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥˜60s to the Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥˜80s;
• 8 p.m., Groovalicious will entertain with funk, disco, and dance hits.

The event will wrap up with a fireworks display at 9 p.m. timed to match New York CityÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s New YearÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s countdown. Mayor Tom Dyas and Simon Mills, President of Valley First, will lead the countdown. 

The fireworks, launched from City ParkÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s northwest point, can be viewed along the waterfront from The Sails to the Kelowna Yacht Club.

To accommodate the event there will be parking restrictions along Water Street between Queensway and Doyle Avenue from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Up-to-date parking space availability for the Library Plaza Parkade (1360 Ellis Street), Memorial Parkade (1420 Ellis Street) and Chapman Parkade (345 Lawrence Avenue) can be found on the .