While New Year’s Eve is looking green, Gorham’s family-focused celebration has a packed program -– even though prospects of two winter events are now doubtful.

“Sadly, there will be no sledding and snow sculpting unless something drastic happens,” Cindy Hazelton, director of Gorham Recreation Department, said this week.

But, the eighth annual New Year Gorham will be festive with events inside at various venues. Featured activities will include indoor ice skating, music, dancing, shows and fireworks.

“The event is ready for action,” event founder Virginia Wilder Cross said this week. “I wish I could do something about the weather, but the weather for Dec. 31 is still up in the air. If I had my way, we would have a foot of snow on the ground, but Mother Nature has the upper hand on this one.”

Passes for the evening’s activities are lighted lanyards, and organizers are recommending that people don’t wait to buy the lanyards because they sold out last year.

Gorham’s celebration attracts visitors from surrounding communities.

“So early sales indicate we will see lots of people in Gorham on New Year’s Eve,” Cross said.

The locations of events include town-owned facilities and the University of Southern Maine, which will host family ice skating in the ice arena on the Gorham campus. The university would also host the sledding and snow sculpting contest – if there’s snow.

The ice skating on campus is free for those wearing the lanyard. Joy Pufhal, university dean of students and executive director of Student and University Life, said the university is “pleased to partner once again” with New Year Gorham.

A few highlights of this year’s family-oriented activities are a puppet show and workshop 3-5 p.m. at Baxter Memorial Library, 71 South St.

Shows in the Shaw Gym in the municipal center, 75 South St. include Mad Science, 5-6 p.m.; line dancing with Flamin Raymin and Sizzlin Suzzin, which Hazelton described as a “participatory” event, 5:30-7 p.m.; and Wildlife Encounters is scheduled for two shows, 3-4 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.

Gorham’s own Don Roy Trio will perform from 5-6 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers in the municipal center.

A new event this year for children is set for Robie Gym on South Street, Mike Grafone, executive director of New Year Gorham, said in an announcement.

“We have always had lots of things for very young children to enjoy, but this year we are hoping to reach the tweens/middle school youngsters with corn hole games and music at Robie Gym from 5 until 7 p.m.,” Grafone said.

Several shows will be held in the performing arts center at Gorham High School, 41 Morrill Ave. The shows include the USM Jazz Combo, 4:15-5 p.m.; Gorham Community Chorus, 5-6 p.m.; Running With Scissors, a comedy improv show, 6:15-7:15 p.m.; and Norman NG Magic, 7:30-9 p.m.

Food will be available in lobbies at Shaw Gym and at the high school. Cross said the First Parish Congregational Church Youth Group will serve hot dogs and other light food, replacing the spaghetti suppers from past celebrations.

Fireworks, sponsored by the Chalmers Insurance Group, on the high school athletic fields, will cap the festivities earlier this year.

“The fireworks will be held at 9 p.m.,” Grafone announced, “which will make it easier for young children to make it through the whole celebration.”

Organizers said the town, local businesses and individuals teamed up to sponsor much of the entertainment.

A fireworks display, like this one a few years ago, is the traditional crowd-pleasing end to New Year Gorham activities. File photo by Rich Obrey