From Deseret News archives:
Bye '04, welcome to 2005
Snow, chill are no deterrent as festive air reigns on New Year's Eve in S.L.
The flying cloud, the frosty light,
The year is dying in the night.
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Alfred Lord Tennyson
The setting was right in Salt Lake City Friday night, complete with flying clouds and frosty holiday lights (not to mention a brisk wind that nipped the edges off what would otherwise have been a perfect night for revelry). And if there weren't any bells a la Tennyson's day, there was plenty of noise and a festive air as First Nighters bid 2004 an energetic adieu.
As midnight crept up, a light snowfall appeared to be no deterrent to the partiers. A quartet of young men, David Giroux, Jeremy Aho and Michael and Andrew Altice, had two umbrellas among them and said they could ultimately arm-wrestle for the protection but weren't going to let the weather dampen their enthusiasm.
It was a something-for-everyone affair, with entertainment ranging from the sedate (try the World Harmony Youth Choir opening an evening in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building) to the near-insane (exemplified by avid percussionists Samba Gringa rocking the lobby and raising echoes in the Salt Palace with a hundred rousing variations on badda-boom.)
Kelly Hindley and Richard Hodges attended the festivities with their children, Erin, 7, and Daniel, 10. With more than a dozen venues offering a plethora of choices, the only problem was settling on what to do with the hours until midnight. For Erin and Daniel, the prospect of staying up until a new year began was exciting, but Daniel was a bit wary. He was due to be in Park City early Saturday to compete in the 10-and-11-year-old boys' category of the Wasatch Citizens Series ski event.
Up a level from Samba Gringa and around the corner in the Salt Palace, a powwow invited not only the regalia-bedecked American Indians onto the floor but also enthusiastic audience members. And there was a special guest. Peter Corroon, who dons the Salt Lake County mayor's mantle next week, was welcomed by Cal Nez, who said the Indian community "looks forward to working with you for the next four years."
Invited to join the happy throng of dancers, Corroon did, but not for too long. He said he had out-of-town guests coming, and he didn't expect to hit all of the First Night venues.
Steve Gonzales and Clarine Moffitt/Gonzales, with her son, Ryan Moffitt, all of West Valley City, made the powwow their first stop on a marathon evening of entertainment.
"We've been coming since the first year," said Moffitt/Gonzales.
"Our favorite part is the fireworks, but we love it all," added Gonzales.
