HARMONY — More than a thousand revelers said an early goodbye to 2013 as fireworks exploded above the small borough Tuesday night.

Harmony’s annual Silvester event celebrates both the coming of a new year and the town’s German heritage, all wrapped into one unique event.

Those assembled didn’t have to wait until midnight to sing “Auld Lang Syne,” however. That’s because the Silvester celebration ends at 6 p.m., which is midnight in German time.

The fireworks and ball drop weren’t the only attractions that brought so many people out on a blustery winter evening.

A major part of every Silvester celebration has been the 5K run, which continues to grow in attendance each year.

Race organizer Susie Altemus said more than 450 people registered online before the event, and that as many as 200 others showed up and registered on race day.

That puts the total participation somewhere around 650 people, Altemus said, a number that is about 100 more than last year.

There were rookie racers and also veterans like Barb McCandless, who has participated in the 5K each of the seven years Silvester has been around.

“The hills certainly don’t get any easier,” said McCandless, a Harmony resident. “But we always have a ball.”

The runners raced through snowflakes and a wind chill that never escaped the teens.

Another group of Silvester-goers didn’t mind the cold as they lined the race route and cheered. That’s because a makeshift concessions stand nearby kept them supplied with hot chocolate and hot dogs throughout the afternoon.

Farther down the street, other holiday revelers took their cheer inside to the Harmony Inn, which served refreshments for Silvester.

That’s where Steve Repaski sat and ate a meal consisting of kielbasa and sauerkraut, a perfect dinner to celebrate a new year.

The Pittsburgh resident said his wife and several of her friends come every year to run in the 5K in what’s become a New Year’s Eve tradition for the family.

“They like the exercise,” he said. “I sit here and exercise my left arm with a beer.”

Despite the race being the largest component of the event, Silvester offered plenty of other activities for those who attended.

Jo Annette Cynkar stood inside the historic Wagner House and offered people a chance to predict what’s in store for 2014.

She presided over a process called Bleigiessen, a German tradition where balls of lead are melted down into various shapes and sizes. The resulting piece of lead supposedly can foretell the coming year.

It’s another event that’s been a part of every Silvester celebration, and for good reason.

Cynkar said she expected to go through nearly 50 pounds of lead during Silvester, adding that more than 250 people usually show up to the Wagner House.

“I crank them out,” she said with a smile.

Harmony Mayor Cathy Rape spent most of her afternoon baking pretzels, but briefly emerged to check on the progress of the pork and sauerkraut dinner being held across the street in Stewart Hall.

She took the time to say hello to Harmony Fire Company Chief Neal Nanna, who had his face painted like Batman after coming from a booth nearby.

“I’m trying to convince him to do the polar plunge with me next year to raise money for the fire company,” Rape said about another event held on New Year’s Day in Harmony.

As both the sun and temperatures dropped, a crowd still gathered in the town’s center to watch the ball drop at 6 p.m., accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display.

Tonya Reynolds was one of the brave who stuck around until the bitterly cold end.

“This is definitely unique,” she said about Silvester. “No other towns around do this, so it’s special. Especially in a quaint little town like Harmony.”