CITY OF KINGSTON’S ANNUAL K-TOWN COUNTDOWN
You can say good bye to 2015 and ring in the new year tonight with the City of Kingston’s annual K-Town Countdown.  Events for kids of all ages will get under way at 5 o’clock and run until about 9pm inside Rogers K-Rock Center, with wagon rides and other events outside as well.  The event is FREE and wraps up with the fireworks finale. Check out all the events here:

IT’S NEW YEARS EVE…DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE
If you’re ringing in the new year with a bit of bubbly, OPP & Kingston Police will be out in full force, wrapping up their Festive Ride Campaign.  Remember there is no excuse for drinking and driving…Instead, use Operation Red Nose. The holiday designated driver service has had a very successful season, providing over 520 rides and raising close to $14,000 in donations. Tonight is their busiest night…so if you need the service call in plenty of time.  544-7447.  As this is their busiest night, they could also use a few more volunteers.

WHAT’S CLOSED NEW YEARS DAY
With the New Year’s Day Friday you can expect a number of stores to be closed.  Here’s a short list:

  • The Kingston Area Recycling Centre (KARC) will be closed on January 1.
  • Kingston Transit will run on a regular schedule on New Year’s Eve but will be out of service on Friday, January 1, with Kingston Access only offering limited service.
  • Administrative offices, including housing and social services, will be closed.
  • Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro will be closed.
  • If you have a utility emergency, call 613-546-1181.
  • Customers in the east and west end can call Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235. Union Gas customers can call 1-877-969-0999.
  • All branches of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library will be closed December 31 to January 1.
  • Artillery Park Aquatic Centre and the INVISTA Centre will be closed January 1 as well as Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and all area arenas.
  • The Beer Store and LCBO will be closed on Friday along with banks and most grocery and retail stores, reopening with regular hours on Saturday.

Also, there is no garbage or recycling pick up. If Friday is your regular garbage day,  the  pick up will be Saturday…and this is a double bag week for garbage.