SUQUAMISH — Though there won’t be a ball dropping from the Suquamish United Church of Christ, the Suquamish Citizens Advisory Committee youth subcommittee is throwing a New Year’s bash big enough to rival Times Square.

The party will be split into two parts Dec. 30 at the Suquamish United Church of Christ, one for younger kids and one for teenagers. Each will boast its own glitz and glamor designed specifically for those age groups.

“This is just something fun for kids to do in the community for New Year’s,” said SCAC and subcommittee member Gail Petranek. “We distributed fliers to the (Suquamish) elementary school a couple of days before school got out, and we’re putting up fliers around town.”

The subcommittee is hoping not only to make the community aware of its existence, but also get younger members of the area involved in its efforts, she said. The group is hoping to be as effective as possible, and one of the best ways is involving children and teenagers.

“We want to do something so people know that the committee is out there,” said SCAC and subcommittee member Frances Malone. “This is such an important cause, and we really need to involve the youth of our community in it.”

The two sections of the party will cater specifically to each age group. The first part, for children ages 5 through 12, will be mainly arts and crafts, with a “clock” walk, similar to a cake walk but using a huge clock instead. Winners will receive prizes, said SCAC and subcommittee member Sandra Senter.

“I’m making the clock in my wood shop,” she said. “Kids will be able to get their pictures in front of it during the celebration. It really should be a fun night.”

Later in the evening, the subcommittee is inviting teenagers to display their skills with a microphone during an open mic night, Malone said. The group wanted to make sure to have activities all youth would enjoy, and it’s under no illusions that many teenagers don’t enjoy crafts quite as much as their younger counterparts.

“We’re inviting teenagers to sing, rap, read poetry or play an instrument,” Petranek said. “Basically anything goes, as long as it’s within reason of the church.”

The subcommittee members are readying their party hats, picking the best New Year’s outfit, and preparing for a party that will kick off 2007 for students the best possible way — with safety and lots of fun.