Video: Highland Park’s 3rd annual ‘Not-So-Silent’ New Year’s Eve

Story and video by Randall G. Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

More than 90 participants of all ages kicked off tonight’s Highland Park New Year’s Blast (and Potluck!) by marching in the Not-So-Silent Night Parade.

Armed with assorted noise-making devices and papier-maché lanterns, children and adults set out from the Highland Park Improvement Club on a several-block march through the surrounding neighborhood, stopping traffic and bringing people out onto their front porches and yards to exchange shouted wishes for a “Happy New Year.”

Dan Mullins served as a sort of de-facto grand marshal of the procession, with tonight marking the third annual New Year’s Eve noise-making march, though he noted that the neighborhood has been gathering for community events on the last day of the year for 91 years.

Awaiting the group in the parking lot of the club afterward was another relatively new tradition for the holiday: the “Sage Comet.”

Former Cirque de Flambé member Chris Huson was joined by Rory Denovan in a fireball-twirling display, adding a bit of heat to the chilly evening air.

Wearing kilts as a nod to the tradition’s Scottish “Hogmanay” roots, the men spun flaming wire cages in large circles around them. Despite the name given the event, “Sage Comet,” it was bits of Christmas trees and rosemary set aflame by another Cirque alum, known only as “Tricky Bunny.”

Keeping with the family-orientation of the evening, Huson and Denovan were attended by their wives — Kristin Huson and Becca Fong –donning black robes and holding tall torches in front of the gathered crowd, lending an air of ritual to the proceedings.

Once the flames had burned out, revellers were invited back into the club for a potluck dinner and a night of live music from four bands, promising to carry the festivities securely into 2012.

With a solid attendance already on hand for the early part of the night, HPIC secretary Julie Schickling expected as many as 150 people might attend throughout the evening.

6 Replies to "Video: Highland Park's 3rd annual 'Not-So-Silent' New Year's Eve"

  • Doggie Mama January 1, 2012 (12:53 am)

    I guess that explains the last 2 1/2 hours of fireworks. Can I send them a bill for dog sedatives for future NYE festivities?

    • WSB January 1, 2012 (12:59 am)

      This is not a fireworks event. We’ve covered it three years in a row now and aside from the couple minutes of the Sage Comet (which is non-explosive and non-noisemaking), it’s pretty low-key. I’m afraid the decent weather aided and abetted fireworks-firing-off (illegal as it is) all over the place – we’re a few miles southwest of HP and it’s been nonstop booms about that same time. – TR

  • fyi January 1, 2012 (1:41 am)

    Sounds like a fabulous event!! Doggie Mama try giving your dog a small amount of canned pumpkin (not pie mix). It should help your dogs relax! I always keep some on hand.

  • Casey January 1, 2012 (9:35 am)

    My neighbors always light off their cannon into the water, yes cannon..so the fireworks don’t bug my dog do much, ha!

  • Cclarue January 1, 2012 (10:16 am)

    Doggie mama it sounds like a night of good clean family fun at hpic. Dont blqme them for your law breaking neighbors behavoir please.

  • Doggie Mama January 3, 2012 (2:19 pm)

    Thanks all for the clarification and tips. Happy New Year.

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