BETHEL — Organizers hope they’ll attract up to 150 people for New Year’s at the Bethel Historical Society on New Year’s Eve, Randy Bennett, society executive director, said Tuesday morning.

The venue for the free event, which is from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, is at the Dr. Moses Mason House at 14 Broad St.

Traditional marshmallow roasting over a bonfire will be held in the yard between the Mason and Robinson houses.

“It’s very much a family event,” Bennett said. “We want families to come and bring their children if they want, so I think it will work out well.”

Events include:

* A potluck supper from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

* A dragon parade for children starting at 6 p.m.

* A candlelight open house at the 1813 home of Dr. and Mrs. Moses Mason from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

* Performances by the Western Maine Senior College Senior Players from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

* And refreshments and a sing-along in the society’s exhibit hall from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Bennett said the society decided to consolidate the event into one building, mainly because attendance has been dwindling.

“We have cut it back since we first started it,” he said. “These things have a lifespan, I guess you could say. Portland has cut back and other places have cut back, too. It has a lot to do with general interest.”

Last year, they had two venues — the Mason House and the Congregational Church — and two entertainment acts in the State Street Jazz Band and the Senior Players.

“We didn’t get as many as we thought we would,” Bennett said. “A lot of people went up to Sunday River, and there were a lot of other things going on.”

Of the 100 or so who did attend, he said many were at the Mason House “and they seemed to enjoy the period rooms,” which are normally open once a year in early December.

“They liked that, and the children really had a great time with the marshmallow roast and the dragon parade,” Bennett said.

He said the society had “a very good turnout” last year, in part because the society opened the Mason House period rooms a second time.

“This year, again, we’ll have the period rooms open for two hours and lit only by candles,” he said.

“It’s a real treat, I think, for people to come through and see what the Mason House looks like in the evening. It’s quite something with the fireplaces going and candles in the windows.”

As in past years, Bennett said people can come and go as they want.

“It sounds like the weather’s going to be good and, if it’s anything like last year, it’s going to be a great event,” he said.

For more information call 824-2908 or email info@bethelhistorical.org or visit www.bethelhistorical.org.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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