They'll come. They'll shiver. And they'll kiss, hug and celebrate.

Hundreds are expected to turn out at 222 East Broad St., Tamaqua, at 11 p.m. Wednesday for the region's largest outdoor New Year's Eve celebration, according to event planners."It's a family-friendly event," says Linda Yulanavage, executive director of Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce, host of the celebration.In fact, it's so high and bright, it's enough to make Guy Lombardo stop and drop his baton.Chances are, however, it'll once again attract a younger crowd who wouldn't even know who Guy Lombardo was.In measurable terms, the night of huge proportions will showcase the region's largest Happy New Year sign, 128 square feet, atop the region's tallest building, 174 feet high, plus bitter cold air and some of the area's warmest people.Also showcased will be a jumbotron affixed to the side of the ABC Tamaqua Hi-Rise building.Projected on the screen will be a live feed from New York City, featuring the telecast of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest."Yulanavage said DJ Shawn Frederickson will get things hopping at 11 p.m. with lively New Year's music.Colorful helium balloons will be distributed to represent the crowd's soaring spirit and high expectations for the new year.The event has become a Tamaqua tradition.Some years, more than 1,000 have turned out for the spectacle.Because of the size of the celebration, one block of Route 209 will be closed to traffic to ensure spectator safety.Organizers say December's unpredictable weather doesn't matter because the event is designed to keep hands warm.Over the years, the celebration has been sponsored by groups and organizations such as Downtown Tamaqua Inc., Tamaqua Elks Lodge and the Times News.The tradition began in 1998 as a one-time gimmick to kick off Tamaqua's 1999 Founding Bicentennial Celebration.The original sponsor, the Tamaqua Bicentennial Committee, disbanded at the end of the year, their job finished.However, some fast work in late 1999 by former members of that group and others, some of whom serve on the Downtown Tamaqua board of directors, saved the extravaganza for at least another year.However, fears of the Y2K bug surfaced that year, a predicted anomaly that potentially threatened to put the country in darkness, including Tamaqua's New Year's light show.However, Y2K was a fizzle. It never materialized, and the Tamaqua New Year's Eve celebration went off without a hitch and has continued since then.Organizers have said all along that it's too good an experience to let die.Those attending will see the largest 2015 sign in Schuylkill County, and perhaps the state.The showpiece sign is outlined in lights. The beacon extends 16 feet wide and each number is 8 feet high.The work is produced by Frank Fabrizio, Brockton's king of the kilowatt.If plans go right, one minute before midnight, an eagle will rise to the top of the 16-story building. When it reaches the top at the stroke of 12, it'll illuminate the sign as hundreds of helium balloons are released by the crowd.The balloons used are environmentally safe, according to organizers.