When the Strasburg 275th Anniversary Committee began planning its New Year's Eve celebration, some thought dropping a train might be fitting — but completely impractical.

True, the area is known for attractions like the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the National Toy Train Museum, but the event planners decided they had to find another way to launch 2008 and kick off the yearlong anniversary celebration.

So the committee went back to the drawing board.

"We searched the Net and looked for creative solutions," said Cindy Baker, co-chairman for the Strasburg 275th Anniversary Committee. "This is out first New Year's Eve celebration in Strasburg Square, so we wanted to inspire people of all ages within the community to come out.

"We wanted something fun."

Eventually, the committee decided on pingpong balls — 275 of them, to be exact.

"We were reading about pingpong avalanche pranks, and just thought it sounded fun," she said. "We could have dropped a symbolic train of some kind, but the pingpong balls seemed like a good way to start a party."

The New Year's Eve celebration will begin at 10 p.m. and end about 12:30 a.m.

The pingpong balls will be dropped off the balcony of the Massosoit Hall, which was built in 1856 and is the tallest building in Center Square.

Baker said anyone who picks up a "specially marked" pingpong ball can collect a prize. There also will be prizes awarded to the individual who collects the most pingpong balls.

"There's going to be music, food — lots of tasty fried things like Oreos and fries — and street performers," Baker said. "There's also going to be a chocolate fountain placed on the East Main Street side of Strasburg Square.

"It's the chocolate version of an actual watering spot that used to be on the grounds," she said. "Local Youth Ministries will be selling poundcake, fruits and other treats that can be dipped into the fountain and eaten."

She said the New Year's Eve celebration will kick off a yearlong series of special events in honor of Strasburg's (Township, Borough and the surrounding area) 275 years as a community.

"In October, we're going to have fireworks, a parade and a prayer service followed by a community picnic," Baker said. "There will also be celebrations in November and December — we're still planning away."

Baker said she's lived in Strasburg for about 20 years.

"I've loved living here," she said. "The neighborhoods are wonderful, and the volunteer groups are strong. I guess that's why I want the anniversary and New Year's celebration to be so successful; Strasburg is a perfect place to raise a family and live. So there's a lot of reasons for us to celebrate."

Musicians and street performers interested in performing at Strasburg's New Year's Eve Celebration should contact Cindy Baker at 687-8027.

E-mail: cdifonzo@lnpnews.com