LIVERPOOL -- Onondaga County Parks wants Central New Yorkers to ring in the new year with a little bit of local flair.

The county says it expects thousands of people to descend upon Liverpool Friday night for their “First Night at Lights on the Lake” at Onondaga Lake Park. Festivities include music from the Todd Hobin Band and Sean Kingston, as well as a walking tour of Lights on the Lake and a ‘family fun zone’ featuring arts & crafts, magic shows, karaoke, and a balloon launch.

The event will culminate with an orange ball drop with former Syracuse Orange legend Gerry McNamara at midnight, followed by a fireworks show.

The event gets underway at 5:00 p.m., and shuttle buses will pick up and drop off visitors at Carousel Center mall’s outer parking lots beginning at 4:45. The Onondaga Lake Parkway will be blocked off for the entire evening, and no parking will be allowed in the village or the park.

Tickets to the event are $5 in advance at NAPA Auto Parts and Wegmans stores. The price increases to $8 at the gate. Children five years of age and under get in free.

For more information visit www.firstnightcny.com or call 471-9597.