The Owensboro Museum of Science and History will host its annual Noon Year’s Eve celebration on Tuesday, December 31, offering families a festive way to ring in 2025 without staying up past bedtime.
The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes a variety of activities, culminating in a balloon drop at noon. Admission is $5 per person and free for museum members.
Started 18 years ago, Noon Year’s Eve has become a cherished tradition for many in the community, said Kathy Olson, the museum’s outgoing executive director. Olson credited former museum staffer Jennifer Huntzinger with introducing the concept after working at a children’s museum in Illinois.
She said the idea grew from similar celebrations at children’s museums nationwide and has been tailored to Owensboro’s audience.
“The balloon drop has been a huge hit,” Olson said. “It’s really amazing to see how the kids — and adults — react when all those balloons come down. It’s a fun, celebratory moment for everyone.”
The event is designed to be inclusive for families, giving parents, grandparents, and children an opportunity to celebrate together. Olson noted it has become a multigenerational tradition for some families, with some now bringing their own children after attending as kids.
In addition to the balloon drop, this year’s event will feature:
• Party Hat Crafting: Guests can create and decorate their own hats using newspaper, with assistance from expert volunteers.
• Noisemakers: A hands-on station to craft noisemakers for the countdown.
• Magic Shows: Two performances by a returning magician, popular from last year’s event. One at 9:45 and another at 10:45.
• Face Painting and Caricatures: Face painting remains a staple, while caricature drawings have been added this year, thanks to sponsorship from U.S. Bank.
• DJ and Activities: Professor G, the museum’s longtime DJ, will be on site with music, games, and announcements in the Mammoth Lobby.
Guests can also explore the museum’s exhibits, including the Earthquake Shake Table installed last summer through a grant from the Horn Foundation.
“We’re hoping people who are new to the area or visiting for the holidays will take this opportunity to get to know the museum,” Olson said.
The festivities will conclude with cookies, ginger ale, and gift bags for children.
Olson, who has led the museum for nearly two decades, said this year’s event holds special meaning as her final Noon Year’s Eve as executive director.
“It was the first big event we held after I became interim director, so it’s always been special to me,” Olson said.
For more information, visit the Owensboro Museum of Science and History’s website or contact the museum directly.
