BY SARAH BROWN

Special to The Pilot

Music, magic and even a clown or two will be the highlights of the 12th annual First Eve celebration Dec. 31 in downtown Southern Pines.

First Eve, which takes place on Broad Street near the train depot and the Sunrise Theater, features a hodgepodge of activities and -entertainment for all ages, but it is geared primarily toward families.

First Eve offers children, -particularly younger ones, the opportunity to ring in 2013 and enjoy being part of the New Year's Eve festivities without staying up too far past their bedtime.

The event, sponsored by the Southern Pines Business Association and the Southern Pines Recreation and Parks Department, begins at 6 p.m. and will feature food, face-painting and fun for the whole family. Party favors will be available for purchase.

The Almost Perfect Band, a four-man ensemble based out of Seven Lakes, will be providing live music for much of the evening.

Robert Enloe, Matt Kuhn, Andy Roberts and Robbie Singletary, all Moore County residents, will play a repertoire of songs spanning -several genres, including rock, country and blues.

The band, which has been -together since 2008, has played both cover songs and original tracks in numerous local venues over the past couple of years. It will be Almost Perfect's fourth year -performing at First Eve.

Other familiar faces stepping up to the First Eve stage include DJ William McFaden, who will have people dancing in the streets, Happy Dan the Magic Man and Jingles the Clown, who will tower above -revelers as he wanders through the crowd on stilts.

Food booths will offer tantalizing treats. In addition, both Swank and The Ice Cream Parlor will be open during the festivities.

Rain or shine, the evening's -entertainment will conclude at 8 p.m. next to the train depot with the traditional pine cone drop.