The first ever New Year Gorham for all ages will feature church choirs amid a variety of entertainment hosted at village businesses and churches.

“This is like a wedding, it’s going to happen,” organizer Virginia Wilder Cross said Monday, as she kept a watchful eye on weather.

The non-alcohol celebration kicks off at 7 p.m. at several locations. At Hannaford on Main Street, Miss Maine Teen U.S.A. Jordan Shiers will lead a countdown at 11:59 p.m. Singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” along with fireworks and ringing church bells, will usher in Gorham’s 2009 along with an illuminated ball drop.

“A ball will come out of the sky,” Cross said.

Other locations of events during the evening are First Parish Church, 1 Church St., with performances in both the sanctuary and fellowship hall; Cressey Road United Methodist Church, Cressey Road; Odd Fellows Building, corner of School Street and College Avenue; Baxter Memorial Library, 71 South St.; YourSpace, Narragansett Street; Galilee Baptist Church, 317 Main St.; Robie Gym, South Street; Dance Studio of Maine, 6 School St.; Centre of Movement, 19 State St.; Shaw Gym, 75 South St.; and The Gorham Grind, 18 South St.

Food will be available from vendors on Mechanic Street.

Cross said three buses would continuously shuttle people between village events and those at the Cressey Road Church, Galilee Baptist and YourSpace. At midnight, buses will be available on Railroad Avenue for those needing rides to parking lots.

A list and times of activities can be viewed by visiting newyeargorham.org

Those attending events will be required to wear a New Year button, costing $5. Buttons and New Year Gorham fleece scarves are available at several locations, including The Bookworm,Working Words & Graphics, Hannaford Gorham, Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham Grind, Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast and Gorham Recreation Department. Buttons also will be available New Year’s Eve at each event.

New Year Gorham fleece scarves are $12. A package deal of a button and scarf is $15. Family discount packages are also available at the Gorham Recreation Department, 75 South St. A family package is $20 for families living at the same address with more than two children between the ages of 2 and 18.

Cross expected the celebration would draw people from neighboring communities. Cross said for years she had wanted a New Year’s celebration in Gorham.

“The community needed something fun, something wonderful and not spend a lot of money,” Wilder said.

Volunteers with the cooperation of Gorham’s public safety, public works and recreation departments make the New Year’s Eve event possible.

“I’ve had a wonderful committee,” Cross said.

Gorham greets new year in style