Local communities are participating in a county-wide “Ringing in the New Year” event at noon on Jan. 1 to commemorate the Monroe County Bicentennial. Residents should arrive at 11:30 a.m. to participate, and are invited to bring family-significant bells. A modest number of ceramic and metal cow bells will be on hand for early arrivals.

“Ringing in the New Year” celebrations will be conducted at:

• Waterloo — at the courthouse bandstand

• Columbia — at City Hall, with refreshments at Miller-Fiege House to follow

• Hecker — at Hecker Community Center, with refreshments to follow

• Maeystown — at the intersection of Mill and Main streets, with refreshments to follow at Corner George Inn, plus more ringing at the nearby creek for the Polar Bear Plunge

• Valmeyer — at Village Hall, with refreshments to follow

• Fults — at St. John’s Church

• Renault – at Freeda’s Tavern