BETHEL – Children rang in the new year with an ancient Chinese tradition.

Ten children made up the body of a celestial Chinese dragon that paraded through Bethel’s Common. As they weaved and danced their way to the center of the Common, more children joined them until the dragon had more than doubled in size. When it reached its destination, the Chinese dragon provided the flame that lit the traditional New Year’s bonfire.

“We reached a critical mass and the dragon came alive and just started moving,” said Jonathan Goldberg, chairman of the Children’s Parade committee. The 50-foot long dragon was created almost entirely by the children.

“The kids have done so much work,” said Gary Inman, who carved the dragon’s head out of Styrofoam. The children then covered the head with papier-mache and painted it green with giant eyes and spiraling black nostrils. They created an aluminum foil crest on the dragon’s head and painted designs on the sheets that became its body.

Inman explained that “the Chinese dragon is a friendly dragon. It always brings good things to the new year.” The dragon was of special importance to Inman and his wife, who have two adopted daughters from China. Caili, 7, stood at the head of the dragon, while Ani, 5, took up the tail. Ani, who also helped to create the dragon, felt that it was a good dragon, and not too scary.

“We made the head,” she pointed out.

Later, children got a chance to make their own dragons at the Craft Jamboree. Kids tired from all the New Year’s excitement colored, cut and glued Chinese dragon masks before going out for more partying.

New Year’s Bethel offered plenty for grown-ups to do, as well. Five performers entertained throughout the evening. Old Grey Goose performed its old-time country dance music at the Moses Mason House.

Leland Faulkner delighted audiences with illusion and shadow, while Trickster Fox entertained by juggling on stilts. John McDonald told stories, and the State Street Jazz Band finished off the evening.

Organizer Susan Herlihy has seen New Year’s Bethel through its five years.

“It’s just a magical atmosphere and a chance to get away for an evening,” she said. “It’s just so looked forward to. We have so many people who are coming back for the fifth year.”

Herlihy believes that Bethel’s size and historic character draw people here on New Year’s Eve instead of to larger cities.

“There’s just a sense of a Currier and Ives village,” she explained. That feeling was echoed by a man on his way to see Maine humorist John McDonald. “Where else can you roast marshmallows in the Common?” he asked.

Herlihy also credited the cooperation of many area businesses and groups for the evening’s success. The event, presented by the Bethel Historical Society, was sponsored by The Bethel Inn and Country Club.

Revelers toasted marshmallows donated by Foodliner over a bonfire created by Outward Bound. Once they had warmed up by the fire, some toured the town in a horse-drawn wagon donated by Walter and Carolyn Hatch. Others moved on to the Food Court where Boy Scout Paul Saucier served chowder and hot dogs donated by Boy Scout Troop 565.

More than 250 advance sale tickets were sold for the evening’s performances, and more were bought at the door. All proceeds from the event will help the Bethel Historical Society to restore its new facility, the 1821 Robinson House.

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