Who needs to wait until midnight for the ball to drop? Local residents gathered at the Rochester Council on Aging on Monday afternoon for the annual New Year's Eve party.

With hot hors d'oeuvres, sparkling cider, kazoos, and many, many balloons the senior citizens welcomed the start of 2013 early - at 1 p.m. to be exact.

Having hosted the event for the last seven years, Council Director Sharon Lally said this year's marked a milestone for the annual party.

"We have 80 people here. That's the largest crowd we've ever had," Lally said. "It grows every year. The word is out."

Volunteer Annie Gulick said she has been helping serve food at the event for the last five years.

"It's great," Gulick said. "It's just about giving back to the community and they really appreciate it."

It was a good time for all in attendance, some of whom, shared their resolutions for 2013.

Joyce Padelford of Rochester said she would like people to be more patient.

"I would like for everybody to be kind to each other and have more tolerance," Padelford said.

For Marion resident Mabel Griffin, the start of 2013 is a chance to say good riddance to extra baggage of all sorts.

"I would like to see people chip away at weight, clutter, and all of the stuff that you don't need," Griffin said.

For more scenes from the party, check out the photo gallery and the video of the guests singing along to "Let there be peace on Earth."