BAKER

Sum People will play live at the VFW’s Veterans Memorial Club, 2005 Valley Ave. in Baker City, for a New Year’s party on Dec. 31, 8 p.m. to midnight. The band plays reggae, rock and funk. Food will be available starting at 6 p.m.

GRANT

John Day

Bare Bones Bar, 671 W. Main St., will have a ‘50s and ‘60s New Year’s sock hop on Dec. 31 with live music by Red Headed Step Child from 8 p.m. to midnight. Dress to the theme for a chance to win a prize — $100 for first, $50 for second and $25 for third.

Prairie City

Prairie City will celebrate the end of 2023 with a fireworks show starting at 7 p.m. City officials said the show can be seen from anywhere in town — just watch the sky to the west of Prairie Wood Products.

MORROW COUNTY

Lexington

Music, a balloon drop and champagne toast are all featured during New Year’s 2024 in Lexington. Join the fun on Sunday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. at the Broken Spoke, 125 W. Main St. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3F1YG9L or call 971-444-0946.

UMATILLA

Hermiston

• Roll into 2024 with the Cosmic Family New Year’s Eve Celebration at Desert Lanes Family Fun Center, 1545 N. First St. Sessions run from 3-4:30 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m.

The party packages, which cost $125, are good for up to six people. It includes 90 minutes of cosmic glow bowling — featuring laser/disco/black/runway lights and heart-pounding music — shoe rentals, a large pizza, a pitcher of soda, six $10 arcade cards and party favors.

Reservations are required. For more information, call 541-567-6364 or search Facebook via rebrand.ly/ko4o1c6.

• Get ready to party, dance and rock in the new year with From the Ashes at The Pheasant Blue Collar Bar & Grill, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston. The event tunes up Sunday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m. and runs until 12:30 a.m. There is a $10 cover charge. For questions, call 541-567-3022.

• The Resolution Run races into the new year on Jan. 1, 2024, 10 a.m. on the Oxbow Trail, starting at Riverfront Park, 500 SW 23rd St. The entire trail is 3.1 miles, however, participants can choose how far they want to run/walk.

Registration is not required and entry is free — just bundle up and show up. While it’s too late to order a logo T-shirt, some may be available on race day for $15.

Participants can walk, jog or run during the family-friendly untimed fun run. Well-behaved dogs on leashes, children on scooters and babies in strollers are all welcome. For more information, search Facebook via rebrand.ly/saeeade or email timothybeal@gmail.com.

Milton-Freewater

The Friends of Acoustic Music will have a New Year’s Eve potluck and contra dance at the Timberrib, 84847 Winesap Road, on Dec. 31 starting at 7:30 p.m. with a potluck dinner (bring a dish to share).

Contra dancing will follow at 8:45 p.m. At midnight, they will usher in a new year with a toast to those loved ones who have departed, to good friends today and a future filled with laughter and dancing in the coming years. No alcohol is allowed.

The event is open to the public and no experience is necessary. Children are welcome. Contras and other dances will be taught by local callers Howard Ostby, Dan Clark and Barbara Clark.

Live music will be provided by the Wednesday Night Band.

If you’ve never been to a contra dance, “Come try it,” said host Aaron Canwell.

Contra is energetic and sociable dancing with a partner to live string-band music with the assistance of a caller. It is similar to old-time square dancing and uses some of the same moves. However, the couples are arranged in a line, rather than a square of four couples, but it’s not like country-western line dancing.

The group offers a brief introduction for 15-30 minutes before the dance. Each evening starts with the simplest dances, and more complex dances are presented throughout the evening.

For more information, contact Canwell at 509-540-2573 or band@micahandmerocks.com

Mission

• Wildhorse Resort and Casino’s Rivers Event Center is having a “24 karat countdown to 2024” on Dec. 31 with music by the High Street Band and party favors while supplies last. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the music runs from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Entry is free.

Also, the resort’s Quaking Aspens Lanes will have a New Year’s Eve party. The $125 package includes two hours of bowling, a food voucher, a pitcher of soda, arcade cards and party favors.

For details about these events, visit wildhorseresort.com.

• In addition, Beat Frequency will tune up in the Wildhorse Sports Bar for three nights during the holiday weekend. Performing pop/rock/dance/rhythm & blues/funk, the shows are Dec. 29-31, 8 p.m. to midnight. There is no cover charge.

Hailing from Vancouver, Washington, the husband-wife duo of Shawn Lewis and Natasha Neuschwander were featured in Season 3 of “The Voice.” They perform both as an acoustic duo and with a full band all across the Pacific Northwest.

For more about Beat Frequency, search Facebook via rebrand.ly/npqutrf. For questions about the Wildhorse Sports Bar, call 800-654-9453.

Pendleton

• The Flying X Speakeasy Lounge is planning a New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Seating is limited, and pricing is $20 per person.

Walk-ins without reservations are welcome — but seating is not guaranteed — for $5 if dressed in a costume of the 1920s or ‘30s or $10 if not dressed to the theme. For details, visit Flying X Speakeasy Lounge on Facebook.

• Dance your way into 2024 with DJ Sub and DJ Big Wispr during the New Year’s Eve Adult Prom at Hamley Slickfork Saloon. Relive the magic of prom night with an adult twist on Dec. 31, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at 8 SE Court Ave.

Ticket bracelets are $25/singles or $40/couples. In addition to having the night of your life, the event will provide support for Pioneer Humane Society/Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter to help furry friends in need.

Several dazzling competitions — best-dressed couple, stand-out individual and an epic dance-off — will rev up the party. And stick around for a chance to fill your pockets during the End of the Night Cash Raffle Drawing.

For more information, including how to purchase tickets, search Facebook via rebrand.ly/ccupcbc. Hosted by Jazz Halfmoon and Alanna Nanegos, the event is privately organized and not affiliated with any specific business, party or organization.

• The Countdown to 2024 ticks away at Hamley Steakhouse & Saloon, 8 SE Court Ave. Get primed during Happy Hour, beginning at 3 p.m. in the saloon; then enjoy full-service meals, starting at 5 p.m. in the steakhouse. And at midnight, the Toast to 2024 features a glass of Prosecco for $1 and free party favors.

For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3tp19ZQ. For questions or to book table reservations, call 541-278-1100.

UNION

Cove

The Steakhouse at Cove, 505 Main St., is celebrating New Year’s Eve on Dec. 29 with the group Redemption playing tunes from the early 2000s starting at 7 p.m. This is a continuation of the restaurant’s goal to support local musicians with a free concert every Friday night.

La Grande

• Le Bebe Cakes, 1101 Washington St. in La Grande, will be hosting the first Alley Door Speakeasy, billed as an old Hollywood-themed experience, highlighting the vocal stylings of Brady Goss across many genres. The event features a dinner menu and a full-service bar. The doors open at 8 p.m. with the concert running from 9 p.m. to midnight. Old Hollywood attire is encouraged and a “best dressed” will be chosen. Tickets are $25 and attendees must RSVP to receive a secret access code at TheSecretAlleyDoorSpeakeasy@gmail.com.

• HQ, 112 Depot St., is offering a more casual experience. Starting at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Towers of Glass, a traditional metal group, and Subutai, with loud rock selections, will provide the tunes for the 21+ crowd. There will be beer garden access and music until the doors close at 12:30 a.m. for $10 at the door.

Union

Hot Lake Springs Resort, 66172 Highway 203, will host a New Year’s Eve celebration from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. featuring live music with Wicked Mary, a guitar-based rock-and-roll cover band, and Fading Sage playing 1980s and 1990s rock. For $50, celebrants will also enjoy dinner, a no-host bar, assorted raffles, and local DJ Scott Newman. Tickets are limited and can be preordered on Hot Lake’s website, hotlakelodge.com.

WALLOWA

Enterprise

• Everyone is invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the Wallowa County Humane Society on Dec. 31 at the Oddfellows Hall, 105 NE First St. The evening features karaoke from 7-9 p.m., a raffle from 9-10 p.m. and dancing from 10 p.m. to midnight. Admission is by donation, with proceeds supporting the Humane Society.

• Napster Disaster will play live on New Year’s Eve at the OK Theatre, 208 W. Main St., from 8-10 p.m. The band plays alt-rock covers from the 1990s and 2000s, including Smashing Pumpkins, The Pretenders, The Cranberries, Weezer, Green Day and more. Admission is free.

Joseph

Celebrate the new year with a dance party at the Wallowa Lake Lodge, 60060 Wallowa Lake Highway, on Dec. 31, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Cost is $20, and the evening is for ages 21 and older. Music will be provided by The Travelers Band. The event features snacks, a champagne toast and cash bar for craft cocktails and more.

For tickets, email madeline@wallowalakelodge.com or call the lodge at 541-432-9821.

Wallowa Lake

Celebrate the start of a new year with the annual Polar Bear Plunge at 10 a.m. Jan. 1. Participants can gather at the Wallowa County Park on the north end of Wallowa Lake.

This tradition of taking an icy swim started in 2007.