Go: New Year’s Eve, kids’ countdowns, ‘Finding Neverland’

1. Ring in 2017

The annual Swinging in the New Year’s Eve Dance is one of many ways to ring in 2017. Attendees can enjoy dancing to a live band, sparkling cider and party favors. Hosted by Luepke Senior Center’s 50 and Better Activities, the celebration runs 6:30 to 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Marshall Community Center senior center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver. Tickets are $15 for city residents, $18 for non-residents. Space is limited, call to sign up, or register in person at the community centers. 360-487-7100

2. Little countdowns

Local libraries will offer free a Noon Year’s Celebration for merrymakers ages 12 and younger Dec. 31. Visitors to the Mall Library Connection, 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive, can learn about new year’s traditions from around the world, make noisemakers and parade around the mall from 11 a.m. to noon. Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C N.E. Tenney Road, will also count down to noon with a balloon drop, dancing and crafts from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 360-906-5000, 360-906-4790 or fvrl.org/events

And the Camas Library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas, will offer a party for toddlers and pre-schoolers complete with a dance party and snacks starting at 11:30 a.m. 360-834-4692 camaslibrary.org

3. Fairy dust

Broadway in Portland presents the hit musical “Finding Neverland,” inspired by the story behind the tale of Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration when he meets four young brothers and their widowed mother. He gets pulled into the boys’ fantasy world, which he incorporates into a play about boys who refuse to grow up. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3-6, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St., Portland. Tickets are $35 to $85. 503-248-4335 or portland.broadway.com

4. Begin birding

Spend the new year outdoors, and perhaps spot a few wintering birds at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, visitors can try to spot a Great blue heron, Tundra swan, Bald eagle, foxes and more from the Auto Tour Route, a 4-mile loop limited to cars in the winter, on the River S Unit, on South Hillhurst Road, south of Pioneer Street, in Ridgefield. Or try your luck on the Oaks to Wetlands Wildlife Trail, which is open year round on the Carty Unit, 28908 N.W. Main Ave. Be sure to download or pick up a wildlife checklist and remember binoculars and a camera. Admission is $3 per vehicle. 360-887-4106 and www.ridgefieldfriends.org or www.fws.gov/refuge/ridgefield