New Year Gorham will send off 2019 and welcome 2020 with an exciting mix of entertainment for all ages, combining new features and returning popular performers. The celebration will begin with open ice skating at the USM arena and will end with dazzling fireworks designed to welcome the beginning of Maine’s 200th anniversary year.

We are excited to bring an award-winning storyteller, Antonio Rocha (pronounced Haw-Sha), to the GHS stage. Rocha’s spellbinding repertoire includes stories of his native homeland (Brazil), age appropriate folktales, mime, illusions, and hilarious characters in outrageous situations.

Another new show this year is Abracadabra, a world-renowned Maine magician whose bag of tricks includes juggling, slapstick humor, expert sleight-of-hand skills, and more. Kids and adults alike will wonder, “How did he do that?” as they watch his energetic performance.

Also, for the first time, NYG will offer a chance for folks to watch and/or learn to Contra Dance. Glen Loper and Dela Murphy will lead us through the steps that make this traditional New England form of folk dance so much fun.

In addition to some surprises, a number of favorites will return by popular demand: the NYG Café, animals, science, balloons, Acadian fiddling, and choral music, to name a few.

A program is available on Facebook as well as on the Town of Gorham website www.gorham-me.org/new-year-gorham. The next edition of the Gorham Times will include details about where to buy admission bands as well as additional descriptions of each performance.