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Some people aren't fans of New Year's Eve. Michelle Meade isn't one of them.

That's a good thing, too, because, as the owner of Wicked Witches in Harmarville, Meade almost has to be in the "New Year's Eve business."

Her customers count on it.

"It's just good friends getting together and closing out the year and starting a new one," Meade says. "A lot of the same people come back each year."

She's confident they will gather again next Thursday for the establishment's annual year-end party from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be a midnight buffet, champagne toast and music by the house band, Zig Zag. Admission is $15 for a single; $25 for a couple. Reservations: 724-275-7202.

It's all very entertaining, Meade says. "We have fun here."

New Kensington native Dave "Tex" Conway likes to help keep it that way in fronting the multifaceted Zig Zag.

"We go all over the place, from Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash to Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and the Eagles," he says.

"They are awesome. The crowd really likes them," Meade says.

Conway, who resides in Irwin, is lead singer and plays guitar and harmonica in the trio. "We get a lot of sound out of three players," he says. "They are really good players."

Conway has been playing New Year's Eve parties for decades. "It seems everybody really gets into it. They put their troubles behind them and have a good time," he says.

That's what it's all about, says Louie Prignon, head trustee of the Tarentum Elks, which is sponsoring a Dec. 31 party open to the public.

"It's an important tradition to continue. That's the way to bring in the new year -- on an up beat," he says. "There's good food, a champagne toast and very good people."

Doors open at 8 p.m. and Joe Patrick and Four on the Floor begin performing at 9 p.m. "He and the band are very good," Prignon says.

Tickets are $25 per person. Reservations: 724-226-1644.

The Keystone Band provides the live soundtrack for the public New Year's Eve party at the VFW in Natrona Heights from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

"We like to let people know we are here, so they won't forget us," commander Charlie Frampton says, laughing. "We like people to know we are still around by having a dance now and then. We hope they will tell others, 'We had a great time up here.' "

The $10 admission includes snacks. Reservations: 724-295-9918.

"We really don't make any money. We just like to get people out and socialize. It's a meet-your-neighbor type thing," Frampton says.

People have been coming to the New Year's Eve gathering at the Clarion Hotel, New Kensington, for 25 to 30 years, general manager Jeff Stahl says. "It's a nice tradition to continue."

It will happen this year in the hotel's ballroom from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. It will include snacks, party gear and an 11 p.m. feed of pork, sauerkraut and hot dogs, and a midnight champagne toast. There is a cash bar. Reservations: 724-335-9171.

As he has in the past at the Clarion, DJ Jaison "Chuck" Norris of Natrona Heights plans to keep partygoers dancing.

"I will be playing a little bit of everything, from '70s funk to today's hottest, whatever people want to hear. I try to get music on that the radio hasn't overplayed yet," he says.

Stahl says Norris "has a good following. People like him."

The hotel again will offer special rates on an overnight stay.

"That's probably the safest way to be," he says. "You can party and not have to worry about the weather or anything, and other people on the road. You can just relax and have a good time and there's a free Continental breakfast in the morning."

Here is a sampling of public New Year's Eve parties in the Alle-Kiski Valley with live entertainment. Other details can be found in advertisements in this newspaper.

Apollo Hose Co. No. 2: 327 N. 4th St., Apollo. Dancing, beer, snacks and midnight meal; BYOB; $20 for a single; $30 for a couple. 724-478-1114

Bethel Township Volunteer Fire Co.: Off Dime Road, near Crooked Creek, Bethel. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Oldies DJ Tom Lanning. Beer, pop, hot dogs and kielbasa; bring a covered dish to share; $10 per person. 724-354-2652.

Futules' Harmar House: 1321 Freeport Road, Cheswick. Dinner-dance, 7 p.m.-2 a.m.; dinner, 8-9 p.m.; $60 per person. Reservations necessary: 724-274-4822. Details and menu at www.harmarhouse.com

Pugliano's: 1808 Golden Mile Highway, Route 286, Plum. 8th Street Rox band, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.; 8 p.m. doors open; DJ Chuck in the bar area; party favors, midnight good-luck buffet. $15. 724-327-8991

Ziggy's Lounge: 201 E. 6th Ave., Tarentum. DJ Mark DeHart, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., buffet, midnight champagne toast. $5. 724-339-9287

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