The 2007 New Year's Eve celebration in Fall River began with its traditional wedding ceremony, this time held at Heritage State Park on the City's waterfront. Michael Mendez and his bride, Nancy Marie Potter, arrived in a horse-drawn carriage and were escorted to the stage in front of a large crowd of family, friends and well-wishers. The couple earned the cost-free ceremony by submitting a winning essay. Immediately ollowing the ceremony, performed by Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr.,  the crowd turned around to see a fireworks display at 7:00 p.m. The rest of the evening was filled with family-friendly entertainment at a variety of venues on the waterfront and along Main Street. The entire event was free of charge thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors including Citizens-Union Savings Bank, Gilda’s Bridal Shop, St. Anne’s Credit Union, Main Street Florist, Dominion, Nancy’s Bakery, Lafayette Savings Bank, The Hampton Inn, Slade’s Ferry Bank, Robert’s House of Formals, Fall River FIVE, Delkens #17, Fall River Ford and Webster Bank. Click here for the Herald News article, here to see photos of last year's event, and here to contact Community Coordinator Maureen Ryan Estes who chaired the organizing committee.

(Top row, left)  Michael Mendez and his bride, Nancy Marie Potter, arrive at Heritage State Park in a horse-drawn carriage. (Top row, center) With the U.S.S. Massachusetts in the background, Rev. Robert Lawrence of First Congregational Church asked God's blessing on the couple. (Top row, right) Mayor Lambert asks Ms. Potter to place a ring on Michael's finger. (Second row, left) As soon as the ceremony concluded, participants turned to view a fireworks display. (Second row, center) The Amazing Hamid Circus held three performances despite a power-black out early in the evening. (Second row, right) Fall River native Becky Ostroff waves to the crowd from her trapeze above the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. (Third row, left) Clown Patrick Cashin watches as juggler David Connors maintains spinning plates from a unicycle. (Third row, center and right) Audience member Ryan Mercer of Fall River lip syncs some times on an inflatable microphone to the delight of the audience. (Fourth row, left) Eric Miller and his son, Zachery, enjoy a free ride on the Carousel, which also offered face painting and storytelling by John Porcino. (Fourth row, center) Magician Matt Roberts demonstrates a simple magic trick in the Fall River Library Community Room that children in the audience can try at home. (Fourth row, right) Thirteen-year-old Courtney Vigeant of Freetown smiles at seven-year-old Shawn Wasilowski who is chosen to participate in the next magic trick. (Bottom row, left) Spindle City Ballet dancers Britney Lecomte, Kimberly Cipolla and Danielle Dragon perform a number at the Heritage Park theatre while dancers Margaret Pope and Elizabeth Stackhouse wait for their number. (Bottom row, center) Roger and Marianne Lauzon dance to the music of the Tailights at the South main Street Senior Center. (Bottom row, right) Nikki Coulombe of Fall River shares a laugh with Jane Westgate of new Bedford as Maeve Miolo brings them a cup of coffee at Cafe Arpeggio.