By Cecilia Nasmith

The Town of Cobourg invites all citizens to help ring in a new year, a new decade and an amazing week at the Dec. 31 First Night activities they are hosting.

It's the 10th annual First Night New Year's Eve celebration, a non-alcoholic family-oriented event that starts at 6 p.m. with outdoor activities at the Rotary Harbourfront Park at 35 Albert St. (weather permitting) for skating and horse-drawn wagon rides throughout the Christmas Magic display with its 180,000 lights and festive displays scattered throughout Rotary Harbourfront Park and Victoria Park. The celebration includes a live DJ, and concludes with a 9 p.m. display of fireworks over the harbour.

For those who prefer indoor entertainment, the Victoria Hall Concert Hall is welcoming Elton Rohn, the world's most popular Elton John tribute, starring Ron Camilleri. The artist has headlines more than 250 shows, including major American and Canadian festivals, and has the distinction of being the only Elton John tribute asked to play at the Elton John convention in Las Vegas.

The show takes place from 8 to 10 p.m., and tickets (available at www.experiencecobourg.ca) are $45 plus fees.

The Concert Hall is also the place to be New Year's Day, with Mayor John Henderson's New Year's Levee running from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Special guests include Town Crier Mandy Robinson and Poet Laureate Jessica Outram. The Concert Band of Cobourg brings the music, Dutch Oven provides the refreshments, and Victoria Hall Volunteers will be serving up Christmas cake donated by Weston Bakery.

Lace up your skates and grab your favourite team's jersey Jan. 3, and head to the Cobourg Community Centre (750 D'Arcy St.) for the Mayor's Community Skate from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free, though everyone is encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank.

And that's just the prelude to the big Rogers Hometown Hockey weekend Jan. 4 and 5. Activities centred around the Cobourg West Harbour (103 Third St.) include NHL alumni and special guests, live music, give-aways and activities for the entire family. Those special guests, by the way, include Darcy Tucker, Shayne Corson, Steve Smith, Gord Brooks, Jim Hughson and Chris Johnston.

For more information on all the events happening in Cobourg, visit www.experiencecobourg.ca or the town's on-line community calendar at www.cobourg.ca.