T-L Photos/CARRI GRAHAM Many event attendees gather around to watch a magic show performance during the “Noon Year’s Eve Bash” Tuesday at the Ohio Valley Mall.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Hundreds of residents from all over the valley flocked to the Ohio Valley Mall to enjoy a family friendly event in celebration of the new year.

The St. Clairsville Sunrise Rotary Club held the first ever “Noon Year’s Eve Bash” Tuesday morning. Rotary Club President Becky Fabry said they wanted to hold an early event, giving children the opportunity to celebrate the entrance of the new year.

“We wanted to think of an activity for the children of the area to do around the holidays. There’s so many different activities around Christmas, but once Christmas is over, what is there,” Fabry said.

“We wanted to get families to come out and participate and maybe even for the parents to bring the kids out before the parents go out for the evening. It’s a good family adventure.”

The mall’s centralized location allowed for residents from all over to attend the soiree.

“It’s a great location. … It brings people not only to the mall and Tilt, but also allows people to get to know the rotary a little bit better,” Fabry said.

The Sunrise Rotary Club is a nonprofit organization that performs a variety of “service projects” for the community throughout the year.

Adults and Children lined up outside of Tilt Studio arcade to receive their tickets and complimentary goodie bags filled with New Year’s supplies including hats, leis and noise makers. Fabry said the club pre-made 500 party bags. However, the club was anticipating around 300 attendees.

The event took place inside of the Ohio Valley Mall at Tilt Studio and also in the Macy’s Court where 10 vendors were stationed. The $5 entry fee provided children with a variety of activities including one hour of play at Tilt Studio, one main attraction at Tilt Studio – miniature golf or laser tag, face painting, balloon art, magic shows, temporary tattoos, arts and crafts and more. A DJ also played music in the Macy’s Court where children could play, dance and enjoy activities.

“We thought (Tilt would) be a great location for (the event), for the kids and families, and they were great to work with us. They have absolutely helped out and done so many wonderful things with the tickets and allowing us to put on this event at this location. The mall helped us put up the balloons. … We’ve really had a lot of help with this (event),” Fabry said.

Lacey Hampton, of McMechen, brought daughter, Gia, to enjoy the festivities.

“This is something good for the kids to do,” Hampton said of the event. “She (Gia) never makes it until midnight, so this gives us an opportunity to celebrate earlier.”

Rebecca Durbin, of Adena, made the day a family affair.

“This is amazing that there’s things in the Valley for kids to do,” Durbin said. “There’s a lot of fun activities for the kids to do here. There’s not enough of stuff like this in the Valley.”

Ashlee Hassan, of Steubenville, brought her 1-year-old son Cruz. Hassan said she was happy she found out about the event via Facebook. Cruz was having a wonderful time playing on one of the riding games inside Tilt Studios.

The inspiration to hold the “kid friendly” event came from club member Jim Tomlan, who previously attended the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum for New Year’s Eve.

“He (Tomlan) would drive that far. He said, ‘it would be great to have that opportunity here in Belmont County,’ and so that’s what drove the idea. It just snow balled from there,” Fabry explained.

Halfway into the event, organizers said their expectations had been exceeded. Former club President David Barlow said people had come from areas of West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania to attend the fun-filled afternoon.

The bash was sponsored by the Belmont County Tourism Council, Tilt Studios and the Ohio Valley Mall.

“Tilt and the OV Mall have been wonderful,” Fabry said. “Belmont County Tourism was also a major help in getting this all going.”

The Belmont County Tourism Council provided the club with a $2,500 grant in order to put on the event.

About 500 balloons hung from the ceiling outside of Macy’s department store in preparation of the clock striking noon. After the countdown, the balloons fell from the ceiling onto the outstretched arms of more than 100 children standing below. Children happily played with the balloons for the remainder of the event.

“We’re hoping that next year we grow even bigger,” Fabry said.

She said the goal for next year is to have enough interest and activities for children and families, to stretch the event over a larger area inside of the mall.

“We love to be a part of the community and for people to get to know more about the rotary (club). … We love, not only giving back by donations, but also giving back with our time, in service projects. Being able to put on an event like this, to be able to utilize the funds that are raised, we know it is going back into the community,” Fabry said.