Ring in the New Year in Fremont

FREMONT — As the clock strikes midnight, fireworks will launch into the sky and a lit-up sprint car will drop in downtown Fremont for the new year.The car drop honors the city's gem, the Fremont Speedway, a 1/3-mile dirt oval race track.If the children can't stay awake until midnight, families have the option to celebrate early at the Kid's New Year Eve Party at the Fremont Recreation Center, 600 St. Joseph St.Kid's "Noon" Year's Eve will feature bounce houses, carnival games, ice skating, face painting, and a balloon drop. The celebration, 10 a.m. to noon, will be free to the public. Early birds will also have an opportunity to ring in the New year before the later activities begin with Clydesdale trolley rides, starting at 6 p.m. in downtown Fremont.Fremont will take part in celebrating the holiday by incorporating local restaurants who will provide music, dancing and food and drink specials to the public.The downtown VFW post will provide two comedy shows, featuring Travis Carl and Josh O'Brien, 6-9 p.m.As a result of last year's successful event, the city plans to keep the ball rolling by expanding the celebration."This is the second time we will put this on," city safety-service director Kenneth Frost said. "We expanded our event by providing more space and activities because of the huge response last year."Kenneth explained why he believes it's important for the community to come together and celebrate the New Year."We are a relatively small community," Frost said. " And to get a community our size to put on a large public gathering where people get together really promotes unity in a community."Reach reporter Alyssa Wieber at wieber@sanduskyregister.com. Follow us on Twitter @SanduskyRegistr and at Facebook.com/sanduskyregister Downtown Fremont will lift this sprint car by a crane on New Year's Eve. The city plans to celebrate the arrival of 2019 by dropping this car at midnight.