The Bay area's largest and most well-attended, booze-free New Year's Eve party returns this year with its usual overwhelming, almost ungodly number of family-friendly performances at more than 35 venues in downtown St. Petersburg.

What's more, organizers have added "Midday at Midtown" to the festivities. Beginning at 2 p.m., five venues along 22nd Street S. — St. Pete Clay Company, the Royal Theater, an outdoor stage at the Manhattan Casino, the new Woodson African American History Museum and Mt. Zion Progressive Baptist Church — host a series of daytime diversions, including art demonstrations, hands-on activities, ice carving, and live music by the Brian Ransom Ceramic Band, Buster Cooper Jazz Band, Eric Darius and the Mass Choir.

Downtown gets cranking at 3:30 p.m. and the following is a breakdown of some participating venues and scheduled performances:

THE ARTS CENTER, 719 Central Ave. Bayfront Medical Center and the Science Center of Pinellas County host a variety of children's activities and the Second Time Arounders offer a musical petting zoo (3:30-7 p.m.). Giant Smuppets appear as part of a "Circus Dream" show (4 and 5:30 p.m.), Didg Revolution plays some world music (3:30 and 5:30 p.m.), the Asian Neighborhood Family Center Dancers perform Laotian and Vietnamese dance (4:15 and 5 p.m.), and an Arts Center procession led by the Youth Arts Corps Rhythm begins at 7 p.m.

THE STUDIO@620, 821 First Ave. S. The studio hosts its own eclectic entertainment, with spirituals and gospel music performances by The Alumni Singers (7 and 8:30 p.m.), and traditional Chinese chamber music by Dr. Zuo Zhen Wang and other members of the community (9:15 p.m.).

FIRST CENTRAL TOWER, 360 Central Ave. The towering, reflective building boasts performers of all types. Highlights include instrumental chamber guitar by David Eichenberger (7 and 9:30 p.m.), classical guitar by Dominic Gaudius (7:30, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.), ringing melodies by the Chancel Handbell Ringers (8 and 10 p.m.), and improv street antics by Stray Dogs Theater (10 p.m.).

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, 255 Beach Drive N.E. The museum stage features performances by the Lost River Bluegrass Band (7 and 9:30 p.m.) and The Bluegrass Parlor Band (8:15 and 10:45 p.m.), while PollyZoom provides entertainment throughout with shadow art stories (7-11:30 p.m.).

STRAUB PARK, Bayshore Drive between First and Fifth avenues N.E. A stage is set up on the northern end of the park and visitors can see performances by the Tampa Bay Steel Orchestra (7 and 9:30 p.m.) and West African dance troupe Dundu Dole (8:15 and 11:15 p.m.) while taking part in (or simply watching) the Great Explorations Bubble Blast (7-11:30 p.m.) and a 100-drum community drumming circle (8-9 p.m.). At the park's southern end, there's glass blowing by Jodi Bove (7:30 p.m.); Mad Science shows and demonstrations (8 p.m.); a Tai Chi presentation (10:45 p.m.); and some more improv by Stray Dogs Theater (11:55 p.m.).

Other event highlights include JB's Zydeco Zoo zydeco dance in The Plaza Courtyard (11 Second Ave. N.); a jazz stage with performances by Henry Ashwood and Friends and Impromptu Jazz Trio (First Methodist Sanctuary, 212 Third St. N.); Latin music, Florida folk and blues by Gumbi Ortiz and the Latino Project, Blind Willie and Allen Moffat (St. Patrick's Cathedral, 140 Fourth St. N.); and "Movie's in the City," a screening of short films, cartoons and old movies of St. Petersburg (Williams Park, Fourth Street N. and Second Avenue N.).

A mid-event fireworks display occurs at 8:30 p.m. on the waterfront, with the impressive pyrotechnics finale occurring at the stroke of midnight.

There are plenty of other participating venues, performers and artists, so if you want a complete schedule, need directions or want to print out a map of the area, visit www.firstnightstpete.com.

First Night, Sat., Dec. 31. Admission buttons are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6 to 12; children 5 and younger enter free. For more information, call 727-823-8906.

This article appears in Dec 28, 2005 – Jan 3, 2006.