MARS — An event created to celebrate the turn of the last century proved so much fun that it continues to this day.

The 10th annual Mars New Year’s Eve Celebration will be from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec 31 in downtown.

John Watson of the Mars Historical Society said the event will once again provide New Year’s Eve fun for the whole family.

Watson said free hot dogs, pork and sauerkraut, and warm and cool drinks will be available to revelers, and glow sticks and other goodies will be provided to children.

Historical society member Bill Swaney will offer his services as the disc jockey playing holiday songs, and movies will be shown on the side of the building nearest the park.

But Watson said the biggest attraction will come just before midnight, when the televised “ball drop” in Times Square, New York, is projected onto a building.

Watson said revelers will help count down the final seconds of 2010, and the spaceship in the town park will light up when the ball drops.

Accompanying the ball drop will be the revealing of the secret theme of the celebration, which usually mirrors an event in the news over the prior year.

Watson said the event is made possible through donations by the Mars Kiwanis, Marburger Dairy and Mars Foodland. He said donation jars will be set up at the year-ending event for people who want to contribute.

Watson said five to eight burn barrels will be placed in the borough to allow partygoers some respite from cold temperatures, which nearly reached the single digits at the 2009 celebration.

“No matter what, we always get a pretty good turnout,” Watson said.

He said those looking for a wholesome, hometown good time should come downtown on New Year’s Eve.

“It’s a great local event where you don’t have to go too far from home,” Watson said. “It’s a place to take the kids and have a good time.”