Another year is about to come to an end and there are many different ways to celebrate this event in Maine.

Want to end 2010 with laughter? Consider the New Year’s Eve party, featuring comedians Bob Seibel and Dennis Fogg, at the Fireside Inn & Suites in Auburn. For information on tickets and show time, go to firesideinnauburn.com

Feel like dancing? In Lewiston, there will be country line dancing at Central Hall (786-0003), and dancing to the cover songs of the 1950s and ’60s with Vintage at the Knights of Columbus Hall (784-2225).

There is more going on in Portland than I have space for here, from ballroom dancing to dining, a VIP Red Bull Party at 51 Wharf (nyeportlandmaine.com), and Bob Marley will be performing at Merrill Auditorium.

For more ideas check out: iloveportlandmaine.com/2010/11/24/portland-maine-new-years-eve-december-31-2010/

But there are other choices, too.

On New Year’s Day at Old Orchard Beach there is the annual Lobster Dip to benefit Special Olympics (specialolympicsmaine.org), or you could pack up the family for a day and hit the slopes. For more information on events and packages visit skimaine.com/areas.php.

On New Year’s Eve you can catch the fireworks at OOB where there will be two celebrations, one early for the kids and one later for adults.

Many Mainers live in rural areas so the idea of going out to celebrate on New Year’s Eve and then having a long drive home with a few drinks under the belt is not a good idea, so check the Sun Journal’s calendar in Encore on Dec. 31 for a list of local events.

There are a few non-alcoholic events that go on in the state, like the Bethel Historical Society’s event bethelhistorical.org/events, or you could always stay home, celebrate to your heart’s content and watch the ball drop at One Times Square.

Be aware that a lot of places require reservations, so call ahead. Many restaurants have special fixed price menus for dinner, too, which is always good to know in advance.

And don’t forget the annual Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day, televised just before the football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the TCU Horned Frogs. So get out and help ring in the new year!

Here are a few other ideas of how to start out your new year.

Oddfellow Theater

Route 117

Buckfield

336-3306

oddfellow.com

Don’t miss this hilariously funny show, it’s the Dickie Hyper-Hynie’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve show and there are two show times and all tickets are $15, so call for yours now.

Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway

500 Main St.

Bangor

1-877-779-7771 or [email protected]

If you are into reality shows, Jeff and Jordan will be there to mingle with guests and sign autographs. They were on Big Brother and Amazing Race together and will be sharing the spotlight with Motor Booty. There are New Year’s Eve packages for those who want to spend the night.

High View Farm Sleigh Rides (… ongoing through March)

High View Farm

48 Leander Harmon Road

Harrison

595-1601

high-view-farm.com

This is a great way to start the new year. You can rent the sleigh and bring family or friends for a ride through the snow and enjoy a bonfire, or make reservations for a private ride with your significant other for a romantic day.

L.L. Bean Rings in the New Year

L.L. Bean flagship store

Main Street

Freeport

(877) 755-2326

llbean.com/events

L.L. Bean will ring in the new year with fun, music and fireworks on New Year’s Eve, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s a family event featuring the juggling antics of Matthew and Jason Tardy and a performance by two-time Grammy Award winner Bill Harley. Rick Charette will perform the final concert of the day at 5:15 p.m., with a hot cocoa toast and fireworks following at 6 p.m. All events are free.

New Year’s Day Lobster Dip Old Orchard Beach

Old Orchard Beach behind the Birches resort

Special Olympics Maine

South Portland

879-0489

specialolympicsmaine.org/index.asp

This is a fun annual event, with all proceeds to benefit the Special Olympics in Maine. The truly brave can do the dip; the rest can go out and cheer.

Old Orchard Beach

New Year’s Eve fireworks

There will be two fireworks shows this year, one at 6:15 p.m. so the kids can enjoy it, and the other at 10 p.m. There is also a bonfire to roast marshmallows and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. It’s a great way to usher in the new year.

Family Ice Center

20 Hat Trick Drive

Falmouth

familyice.org

781-4200

New Year’s Day 2011 Event at Family Ice – Skating With the Black Bears

Come and watch the Black Bears in practice on New Year’s Day, starting at 11 a.m.;  from 2 to 3 p.m. there will be a family skate with the Black Bears. This is a great way to spend the first day of the new year.