Come help ring in 2012

CITRUS SPRINGS — For people wanting some place fun to go to usher in 2012, Citrus County Parks and Recreation will host its first New Year’s Eve Ball.
The formal event will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at the Citrus Springs Community Center, at 1570 W. Citrus Springs Blvd.
Dina Emmanuel, supervisor of Citrus County Parks and Recreation, said there will be a sit-down dinner at 8 p.m. People can choose either New York strip steak or chicken marsala.
Magic Sound, an Orlando-based six-piece band, will also provide music spanning different genres.
“From swing to rock to jazz ... they’re going to do a little bit of everything,” she said.
Besides a night filled with dance, photos will be taken to remember 2011. And at midnight, there will be a balloon drop.
“Seven hundred balloons are doing to drop from the ceiling,” Emmanuel said. “We’re going to have a good time.”
Appetizers will be offered before dinner, with a cash bar available during the event.
Advance tickets are $25 per person and need to be purchased at the Citrus Springs office. With only about 80 to 90 tickets left, Emmanuel said they are going fast.
Call 352-465-7007 or 352-527-7540.
Other New Year’s events:
* The “Day Before New Year’s Party” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at the West Citrus Community Center, at 8940 W. Veterans Drive, Homosassa. The cost for the early celebration is $5 per person.
The afternoon tea dances are ongoing and a portion of the proceeds will benefit In-Home Senior Services. For more information, call Brenda at 352-795-3831.
* Encore Swing Band will provide a free spaghetti dinner, complete with meat sauce, bread, salad, holiday desserts, beverages (nonalcoholic) and music beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at the café building of Calvary Chapel Church of Inverness, 960 U.S. 41, near the fairgrounds.
Doors will remain open all evening. For more information, call director Chaz Iannaci at 352-464-4153 or co-director David Morgan at 352-302-3742.
Chronicle reporter Shemir Wiles can be reached at 352-564-2924 or swiles@chronicleonline.com.