Gwinnett Daily Post

Lawrenceville will light up the night sky with fireworks as the city rings in the new year - complete with ringing bells - at midnight Thursday, in the first moments of 2009.

The fifth annual Lawrenceville Rings New Year's Eve celebration will kick off a bit earlier Wednesday evening, however, with music and family-friendly activities throughout the downtown Lawrenceville area beginning at 7. Kids can enjoy magic shows, pony rides, bouncy inflatables, a rock climbing wall and more, while teens and adults can take in the tunes of more than 10 bands that will play at various locations.

Restaurants and shops along the historic square will remain open on into the night, and food vendors stationed on Perry Street will offer Caribbean cuisine, Polish sausages and bratwurst, hot dogs, funnel cakes, candy apples, cotton candy, boiled peanuts and more.

Free parking for Lawrenceville Rings will be available at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center and shuttles will run to the square from 6:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. For more information on the annual event, visit www.visitlawrenceville.com.

SideBar: If You Go

What: Lawrenceville Rings

When: 7 p.m. to midnight Wednesday

Where: Throughout downtown Lawrenceville

Cost: Free to attend

For more information: Visit www.visitlawrenceville.com