On New Year's Eve in Ohio, locals and visitors revel in the possibilities of the months to come. From ball drops to fireworks to First Night activities, every locale rings in the new year a little differently. As part of NewYearsQuest -- a MapQuest guide to the best New Year's Eve sights and sounds in the U.S. and in major cities around the world -- here are three recommended events for New Year's Eve 2011 in Ohio.

Ohio New Year's Eve Events Map

First Night Akron

First Night Akron will celebrate its 16th year this New Year's Eve, and the party is open to guests of all ages. The event takes place in Downtown Akron and will feature dozens of family-friendly bands and musical acts, as well as drama, dance and art displays, from Hard Day's Night (a Beatles tribute band) to the Ohio College of Clowning Arts to the Mame Daiko taiko drum ensemble. The $10 admission button is designed by a local artist and grants access to all of the events. Children younger than 10 are free with an adult wearing an admission button. The event begins at 5 p.m. and includes fireworks shows at 9 p.m. and midnight.

Greystone Hall, 103. S. High St., Akron, OH 44308

Walleye Madness At Midnight

Port Clinton is but a spit of land on the southern shores of Lake Erie. But the tiny town brags of being the Walleye Capital of the World. And when a boast invokes the world's best anything, the town had better back it up. Luckily, Port Clinton has done just that for the last 16 years, with a festival worthy of global attention. Thus, Madness at Midnight's "Walleye Drop." That's right -- the town drops a huge, 20-foot, 600-pound model fish as if it was a Times Square ball at midnight. There's also a 6 p.m. kids-drop edition of the Walleye Drop (for "all the little minnows"). The whole thing is a kitschy classic, from appearances by Wylie the Walleye to the dance, the "Wallerena."

Port Clinton Fisheries Inc., 2 Madison St., Port Clinton, OH 43452

Paris To Vienna: A New Year's Celebration

Neal Gittleman, conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, presents music from Europe this New Year's Eve at the Schuster Center in Dayton. The presentation takes place in the Mead Theater and includes classical, opera and holiday pieces. A festive balloon drop closes the show. Tickets run between $17 and $69 and include a free glass of champagne.

Schuster Center, 1 West Second St., Dayton, OH 45402

New Year's Eve In Ohio: Video

Did we miss an Ohio New Year's Eve event? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

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