The city of Bath is epicenter for several New Year’s Eve celebrations in the area. Many of these celebrations benefit local organizations; all promise to provide excellent food and drink, and good company.

Maine’s First Ship to celebrate milestone in Virginia’s construction

Maine’s First Ship, the Pinnace Virginia, will celebrate a milestone in her construction on New Year’s Eve from 6 – 10 p.m. A roaring bonfire at the shipyard on the Kennebec will warm partiers as they raise a champagne glass to toast the raising of the last frame of the ship.

Since the laying of the keel in 2010, community volunteers and students from Morse High School have made steady progress in the construction of the 30-ton Virginia, originally built at Popham Colony in 1607-08.

Earl Bigelow and the Cilantro Trio will supply music inside the Bath Freight Shed. Henry and Marty’s Restaurant will supply light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Hot buttered rum will be featured.

The price is $20 per person. Tickets are available by calling Maine’s First Ship at 443-4242, or can be purchased at the Saturday morning farmers’ market at the Freight Shed, or at the door.

Chocolate Church hosts New Year’s Eve Dance Party

The Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath is hosting a REAL New Year’s Eve Dance Party from 8 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31, with live bands, dance performances, refreshments, champagne toast at midnight, and a cash bar.

Tickets are $25 and are available by phone at 442-8455 or on line at www.chocolatechurcharts.org.

The event is a benefit for the Chocolate Church and will feature the rock band Hollow Body Eclectic with Peter Alexander, Sheldon Bird, Tom Masucci and Johannah Harkness performing a danceable and high-energy mix of original songs and classic rock numbers. Mehuman

Johnson and Her Trio will also perform an alternative mix of Motown, Jazz and R&B tunes.

The Chocolate Church is also offering special a special group rate for local businesses and nonprofits: For a block of 6 or more tickets, the cost is $20 per ticket.

Participating organizations that purchase at least 10 tickets will be provided their own gathering spot and table in the Gallery for additional refreshments — or for displaying organizational literature.

For group sales, write or call the Chocolate Church at 442- 8455 or [email protected]. The Chocolate Church Arts Center is located at 804 Washington St. in the heart of Bath.

Patten Free Library Celebrates an Early New Year’s Eve

The Patten Free Library is hosting New Year’s Early Eve, 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31.

The community is invited to ring in the New Year with food, friends and frivolity.

The event will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres from Henry and Marty in Brunswick, wine and beer, and live jazz music from Frank Vigneau and friends. The library’s beautiful Reading Room, in which the original birch floors were recently restored to their 1890s shine, will make an elegant backdrop to the festive evening.

Tickets are $50 per person, and are available from the library, the library bookstore, Now You’re Cooking, Brick Store Antiques, Ornament or online at www.patten.lib.me.us.

All proceeds will go to support Patten Free Library’s many services to the community.