New Year's Eve revels

Because of the economic downtown, New Year's Eve has been canceled this year.

OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration. But the major downtown events that rang in 2008 won't be ringing in 2009. No ball drop. No glitzy gala at the Antlers Hilton.

Organizers say the economy and other projects got in the way. But the calendar marches on, and plenty of other places are stepping up to party like it's 2009. Here are some of the highlights:

Phat Daddy and the Phat Horn Doctors New Year's Celebration - Phat Daddy is one of the biggest, brassiest party bands in the region. They specialize in classic rock and Motown. The party is set for 8:30 p.m. Wednesday (buffet at 6 p.m.), Cheyenne Mountain Resort, 3225 Broadmoor Valley Road, $35 and up; 538-4000.

Pikes Peak Opera League New Year's Eve Masked Ball - This benefit for Opera Theatre of the Rockies will feature plenty of operatic music and sweets. It begins at 8:30 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres, and continues at 9:30 p.m. with dinner, 10:30 p.m. with dancing and music by the Alan Joseph Ensemble, Martile Rowland and Opera Theatre of the Rockies singers, 11:30 p.m. dessert and midnight champagne at the Village at Skyline Community Room, 2365 Patriot Heights. Admission is $75-$95; reservations are due by Wednesday; 632-5049.

Pajamas in the Park: Kid's New Year's Eve Nature Party - Here's an overnight New Year's party geared especially for kids in elementary school. It will feature an evening hike, crafts, games, watching fireworks on Pikes Peak, breakfast and a morning hike, 7 p.m. Wednesday-9 a.m. Thursday, Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain, $40-$50, reservations required; 520-6745.

New Year's Eve Dance Bash - One of the few New Year's parties that won't leave you with a long list of resolutions. It will feature a zumba class, cake and midnight toast, 10 p.m.-midnight Wednesday, Springs Salsa and Dance Fitness, 2506 W. Colorado Ave., $20; 520-1201.

New Year's Eve Dinner and Gala at The Broadmoor - If you're looking for the glitzy black-tie party to show off that hot new dress, this is it. The party will feature dinner, dancing and music by Ken Miller and The Broadmoor's Pop Orchestra, Marcie Hureau and others, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave., $170; 577-5733.

A Rockin' Swingin' Jazzy Bluesy New Year's Eve Party - Jazz cats know how to do it up in style. This jazzy party will feature Larry D. Lafferty and Bill Emery's Rockin' Swingin' Jazzy Bluesy Great Times Great Music Band, dinner and dancing, 9 p.m. Wednesday, Solo's Restaurant, 1665 N. Newport Road; 570-7656 or 217-8008.

New Year's with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic - In 1924, Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" got New York City in the mood to ring in the New Year. The Colorado Springs Philharmonic will bring us back to that time as conductor Thomas Wilson, pianist Kelly Zuercher, vocalist Amy Sue Hardy and trumpeter Chris Lawson perform a concert that also features Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera," and more; Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $12 and up; ticketswest.com.

Where's the fireworks?

Even though the downtown fireworks fizzled this year, you can still catch fireworks on the summit of Pikes Peak, thanks, of course, to the Pikes Peak AdAmAn Club.

As is the tradition, about 30 hearty hikers will start up Barr Trail on Tuesday and at midnight Wednesday they'll set off a fireworks display.

Look for hikers to flash mirrors from timberline on Wednesday afternoon.

They've been doing this since 1922.