Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque, front row left, gathers for a group picture Monday night at the Gingersnap photo booth at Auburn’s first New Year’s Eve celebration at Festival Plaza. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)

The L/A Harley Band cranks out some rock ‘n’ roll at Auburn’s first New Year’s Eve celebration Monday Night. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)

Laura Shaw, left, laughs after taking a selfie at the suggestion of the emcee firing up the crowd at Auburn’s first New Year’s Eve celebration Monday at Festival Plaza. Participants were asked to take selfies and post them on their social media accounts with the event’s hashtag. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)

Greg Williams of Auburn sports a mohawk adorned with Christmas lights during the New Year’s Eve celebration in Auburn on Monday night. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)

Heather Martel and Rodney Robichaud listen Monday night to the bands playing on the stage of Auburn’s first New Year’s Eve celebration at Festival Plaza. Robichaud brought his oversized wine glass, which he updated for 2019, in case the cups at the event were not large enough. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)

AUBURN — Hundreds welcomed 2019 on Monday night with a pint, a few friends and some local food at Auburn’s first New Year’s Eve celebration.

About two blocks of Main Street, from Gritty’s Brewpub to Mechanic’s Row, were closed to traffic and lined with food stalls, beer vendors and a stage in the middle of street.

Verne and Heidi Langlois of Sabattus attended the event with friends and said they were happy to do something unique to usher in the new year.

“We just wanted to do something exciting and different in Lewiston-Auburn,” Verne Langlois said.

Verne said he and his crew took their first ever Uber ride to get to the event.

“We saw the little car on my phone, and I said, we gotta go!” Langlois said. “We all had a shot, and  he dropped us off, and he’s going to pick us up tonight. This is our first New Year’s Auburn, our first Uber back and forth.”

As for the crew’s New Year’s resolution?

“Live in the moment,” Heidi Langlois said. “We don’t live in the moment anymore.”

The L-A craft brew scene was well represented: Lost Valley Brewing Co. and Baxter Brewing Co. had stalls, as did the House of Bacon, which served mimosas.

Zachary Pratt is a Lewiston native who works part time at Baxter Brewing and co-owns Boba restaurant in Lewiston.

“We’re excited to be here, serving Maine lagers and listening to some awesome tunes,” he said.

“It’s wonderful. I really like to see the town do great things — it’s really on the come-up now. Lewiston and Auburn have really started to have awesome events.”

The hungry were also satisfied: Pinky D’s poutine truck served up gravy-topped fries and melted cheese curds, Cook’s Lobster served seafood and fish and chips and Salty Dog offered barbecue.

From the stage, Hello Newman!, Justin & Shelley Carver and the L-A Harley Band played. 

The event is the first in a series planned to celebrate Auburn’s 150th birthday. Upcoming events, including a citywide birthday party Feb. 22 and a Memorial Day parade, will again bring revelers to the city. 

Because of anticipated inclement weather, midnight fireworks were rescheduled to 10 p.m., but propane lamppost-style heaters brought warmth to eventgoers during the celebration.

Said Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque, “150 years isn’t going to be put on hold for a little bit of snow.” 

NOTE: boba (the restaurant) is spelled all lowercase