BAR HARBOR – Showers of sparks flew high above the town ball field Saturday evening as a festive crowd of about 100 people gathered to take a bumpy hayride, warm up by a bonfire and toast the new year with their neighbors.

“We built it this afternoon and torched it off at 5 p.m.,” town Councilor Robert Jordan said as he tended the bonfire. “We made some torches out of old dirty fuel oil and tossed it in there. It took 10 minutes, and it was off and running.”

Some in the crowd took time to reflect on 2005, remembering the war in Iraq, the devastating natural disasters and other aspects of the past year that they would like to see go up in smoke.

“I wouldn’t say 2005 was a real good year,” Debbie Laccone of Wallingford, Conn., and Bar Harbor said as she warmed her hands by the fire. “I’m looking forward to a better year for everybody. There was a lot of sadness.”

Dan Lourie of Bar Harbor recalled the peace march on Washington as one of the most important moments of his year.

“As we passed the White House, a contingent of the parade came by with coffins,” he said. “It wasn’t just a parade – it was people’s mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters dying. It’s not only the most significant moment, but also the one I want to leave behind.”

While some of the grown-ups waxed philosophical about the waning of the year, the many children in the crowd were excited for the hayride, the steaming hot chocolate and their hopes for 2006.

“We’re pretty much going to stay up all night and watch movies, watch the ball drop,” Abbie Burton, 10, of Bar Harbor said.

Abbie and her friends Leah Kelly and Emily Lewis, both 10 and of Bar Harbor, were the belles of the chilly night in their matching princess crowns adorned with flashing, colorful butterflies.

“A lot of people have complimented us on our crowns,” Abbie said.

The girls’ New Year’s resolutions ranged from the practical to the poignant.

“To get good grades,” Abbie said.

“To stay friends forever,” Emily said.