HEADING INTO THE NEW MILLENNIUM DO YOU KNOW what you're doing for New Year's Eve? I don't. But if you're like me, don't worry. A recent poll discovered that most people still haven't decided what they are doing yet either. There is certainly no lack of options. Canadians from coast to coast are celebrating the new millennium in ways as diverse as our country. Here are a few of the many different ways Canadians are marking this historic occasion:

NEWFOUNDLAND Cape Spear is the first place in North America to see the dawn of the new millennium. As such they are planning a huge event called the First Light Party. Revelers and media from around the world will be watching the sunrise at Cape Spear and hitting the streets of nearby St. John's to party.
Halifax's MacDonald Bridge is the site of a spectacular fireworks display.	NOVA SCOTIA Halifax is boasting the largest celebration in Atlantic Canada. That's because in addition to celebrating the new millennium, Halifax marks its 250th birthday. There's a Grand Parade and spectacular fireworks launching from the Macdonald Bridg. For the culmination of the show, 350 floodlights will illuminate the bridge.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Downtown Charlottetown is being designated the Millennium Zone, where there's ample indoor and outdoor fun. Children's and senior's events, traditional levees, outdoor skating, live music, fireworks and the All Night Party 2000 will make a party everyone can enjoy. NEW BRUNSWICK Fredericton hosts the Millennium Countdown Party on the steps of City Hall. This free event focuses on the City's clock tower (they claim it is the only public clock that can be truly declared Y2K compliant). There's more family fun in Fredericton with Science East's Millennium Party. Science shows and hands-on experiments, marionette and shadow plays, stargazing, and a special science display at the stroke of midnight.

QUEBEC Montréal's famous summer International Jazz Festival moves into the new millennium with its first ever winter event. Featuring the best of jazz, Latin music and blues including a gala show with Dee Dee Bridgewater and a farewell concert by Oliver Jones. At the Palais des Congrès de Montréal. Montrealers will also see a huge fireworks show on Mont Royal, and can dance on a special heated floor outside Old Montréal's Jacques Cartier Square (now that's decadent).

Fireworks over Montréal.

If you are a Scout you'll love Quebec City's Jam de neige. Over 10,000 Scouts will be camping out on the historic Plains of Abraham. The first winter jamboree ever, it brings scouts from around the globe to join in the celebrations. Hull welcomes the new millennium and the bicentenary of the city with Casino de Hull's multimedia extravaganza called Harmony 2000. This has been pre-selected by the American Bus Association as one of their Top 100 Events in North America. With over 100 performers, two mobile stages on rails, 80,000 watts of sound, and pyrotechnical and lighting effects that have "never been seen before". A great way to dazzle guests so they forget how much they lost at the slots. ONTARIO Ottawa's Parliament Hill will come to life with giant puppets, six stages of live performances, huge visuals projected on the Peace Tower, and climaxing with a dazzling display of fireworks. The show, called In Motion: A Story of Time, promises to be one of the biggest events ever to hit Ottawa. Toronto's Harbourfront is hosting the world's tallest fireworks and laser lighting show. The CN Tower and ships will be used to launch "28 tonnes of pyro". The pyrotechnics are choreographed to music representing the last 1,000 years, from Gregorian Chants to Canadian Pop. For those who don't like such large public get-togethers and seek something more exclusive, the King Edward Hotel is hosting a millennial weekend package for only $15,000! Niagara Falls is Ontario's party capital with its annual New Year's Eve bash and Festival of Lights. Starting the evening with children's performers they later switch to more rocking adult music with the Jeff Healey Band and Leahy. The fireworks over the Falls this year are promised to be unprecedented. Even the wilds of Algonquin Provincial Park will be alive with celebrations. Those wanting to return to nature and test their metal are engaging in a special millennial dog-sledding expedition through the Park. MANITOBA Millennial Madness is striking Manitoba's Museum of Man and Nature in Winnipeg. Head back in time with Dr. Fantastic, marvel at the antics of J.J. the Juggling Fool, and rock with the family band Kanicosa who performs in French and English. SASKATCHEWAN Craven in the Qu'Appelle Valley is hosting an Old Fashioned Community New Year's. At midnight everyone can partake in a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the valley. Also a bonfire and games should keep everyone happy into the next millennium. Saskatoon will certainly have a killer new year as they throw a Murder Mystery New Year's Eve. The plot thickens throughout the evening as guests try to solve the murder. Held at the Centennial Auditorium and Convention Centre.

ALBERTA Lac La Biche, in conjunction with their annual Mail Run Days Festival, is kicking off the new millennium with an amazing number of weekend activities. The Mail Run has dogsled races on Lac La Biche, while the Poker Rally has snowmobilers joining the fun. A talent show, fiddling, jigging, singing and waltzing provide entertainment. But that's not it -- there's an ice-fishing derby, skating, sleigh rides, wiener roast and fireworks.
Calgary is having a Zoo Year's Eve. Who says only humans get to celebrate the new millennium? The Calgary Zoo is hosting this family event. Stories, music and puppets will kick off the evening followed by the band Bluesland and the improv group of Loose Moose Theatre. The evening closes with a spectacular fireworks display. If you worried about the Y2K problem and want to wait until it's safe to party, Jasper Park Lodge is the place for you. They are hosting their millennium celebration, called Millennium Relived, a week late, from January 7-9. It will include the full party with champagne, gourmet food and dancing.
	BRITISH COLUMBIA In Vancouver's downtown area, several little parties are organized to comprise one really big party. Bars and clubs are throwing a passport-style bash with every stop along the way earning a stamp. Large outdoor screens will broadcast the global celebrations. At midnight, fireworks and lasers will entertain the crowd.

NUNAVUT Iqaluit, the capital of Canada's newest territory, Nunavut, is celebrating with their Inuktitut Games. The outdoor games will be held during the day "if it's not too cold out" (as a tourism counsellor put it), and will then move indoors in the evening. Following the games, a special church service will be held until 12:30 am, then 50 to 100 skidooers will parade down to the sea ice. The festivities will end with fireworks. NORTH WEST TERRITORIES Yellowknife hosts the world's northernmost First Night festival. It's an alcohol-free family event with children's fair, skating, and dance. Originally, starting in Boston, Massachusetts, this festival has grown to be one of the most popular ways to celebrate New Year's Eve around the world. YUKON Pelly Crossing, a largely First Nations community, will host a dinner and family dance in the community hall with elders and Selkirk First Nations speakers. Haines Junction is also hosting a similar family gathering planned as a community event with a potluck dinner, bingo tournament and dance -- with the requisite fireworks to ring in the New Year. The best of Canadian music is performing somewhere December 31st. Here's just a sample: Paul Brandt is playing the Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert, Sask. Michelle Wright is at the Olympic Park in Calgary. Gowan appears at Club Regent, Winnipeg. Our Lady Peace, Moist and other alternative bands are jamming at the Corel Centre in Ottawa. Tragically Hip and friends play the Air Canada Centre, Toronto. Toronto also has the biggest names in opera staging a larger-than-life show with stars such as Ben Hepner accompanied by the Mendelsohn choir. And then there is the much-hyped farewell concert of Céline Dion, with Bryan Adams joining her at Molson Place, in Montréal. On a more spiritual note, Austin and Marilyn Redpath are organizing an international Millennium Eve Vigil. Guests are welcome to their vigil in Toronto, which will reflect on the need for peace and greater awareness. Various churches will also participate in this vigil and a midnight bell ringing. See their website for more details on where to attend or how to plan you own vigil. If you're worried about Y2K chaos or daunted by overinflated prices, there are many events people can participate in right at home. Networks are planning round-the-clock international coverage of the world's celebrations. Websites are sponsoring marathon chats. Families, such as mine, are having family reunions. And this is only the tip of the iceberg One thing is certain, however or wherever you're celebrating you'd better get that champagne soon. Suppliers are anticipating a shortage from all this millennium celebration! GET TALKING Tell us how you are spending New Year's Eve in our Message Board and you could win our New Century Map of Canada. Write in today! LINKS: Everything2000.com - forum for, as they say, everything 2000 CBC's Millennium - issues relating to the millennium Canada2000 - Canadian millennial projects, events, travel info. Earthcam's Webcast - live international coverage

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