The success enjoyed by Butler's second Ring in the Arts New Year's Eve celebration, despite this year's chilly, damp weather, should bolster determination to continue the celebration and make it even bigger and better next time.

With more than 3,000 people having participated in the latest celebration, it is clear that this community has been longing for such an event for some time. It shows that many area people prefer to remain close to home, rather than venture a greater distance, such as to Pittsburgh, for glitzy, expensive New Year's entertainment.

The fact that Ring in the Arts includes entertainment for all ages makes it attractive to many families — even if the weather doesn't fully cooperate. With most of the activities inside, even a brush with some snowflakes, rain or cold temperatures while people walk from one venue to another is just a temporary inconvenience or discomfort.

Saturday evening, during the latest New Year's Eve festivities, there seemed to be no urgency in the trek to one place from another. Some children, who went from one location to another carried on their father's shoulders, didn't seem to notice the light precipitation in the air and the fact that it wasn't comfortably warm.

Despite the weather, some attendees wore party hats symbolic of the evening, and the happy mood provided a respite from any problems that some people might have had at home. The focus was on having a good time, and people didn't go home disappointed.

The fireworks just after midnight — part of the celebration — were an excellent highlight to the evening, as was the ringing of church bells that welcomed the arrival of 2006.

Some people stood on Main Street street corners facing in the direction of Pullman Park as the fireworks pierced the dark, cloudy sky. Some people sought better vantage points from which to watch the fireworks, or simply sought the warmth of their vehicles.

All in all, Ring in the Arts was an event about which Butler could feel happy and proud — and a source of encouragement regarding future New Year's Eves. Presumably it won't be long before planning begins for the next Ring in the Arts.

"Almost all of the venues were packed — standing room only," said Maggie Stock, Butler's new mayor, who served as chairwoman of the committee that organizes the event.

"Despite the weather, people came," said Don Rasely, president of the Penn Theater cultural trust. "This is truly a family event."

Ring in the Arts' reputation of providing a good time is still in its infancy. However, the successes this time should portend even greater possibilities 12 months from now.

The successes of the past two New Year's Eves seem to foretell a time when people from a much broader area will regard Butler as the place to be to ring in a new year — even if the weather doesn't fully cooperate.