BANGOR – In its first evening-long New Year’s Eve celebration on Sunday, Dec. 31, Downtown Bangor is dishing up free entertainment, transportation and parking to send 2006 off in style.

Performers will include Evergreen, with its eclectic blend of bluegrass, folk, blues and country music.

The Downtown Countdown program offering music, dancing, films, games and kids’ activities in multiple venues gets off to a running start at 3 p.m. with the Epic Sports 5k “Finale” race. The cost of registration the day before the race is $10 at Epic Sports, or $15 the day of the race. Call 941-5670 for more information.

Festivities wrap up with a Midnight Ball Drop in West Market Square.

The hours between are filled with concurrent activities in multiple venues, including fun for kids, jazz, blues, rock, chamber and bluegrass music, dancing, movies, games and a spaghetti dinner.

The event schedule is:

Bangor Opera House

. “Holiday,” 1938 movie starring Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, 4:30 p.m.

. Charlie Chaplin film, “The Cure,” 6:10 p.m.

. Bluegrass and more with Evergreen, 7 p.m.

. Charlie Chaplin film, “The Immigrant,” 7:45 p.m.

. Bluegrass and more with Evergreen, 8:30 p.m.

. Charlie Chaplin film, “Easy Street,” 9:15 p.m.

. Bluegrass and more with Evergreen, 10 p.m.

. Charlie Chaplin film, “The Adventurer,” 10:45 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Society Church

. Spaghetti dinner, 5:30-7 p.m. $8, $5 children, $20 family.

. Contra dance instruction, 7:30-8 p.m.

. Contra dance with Lady of the Lake.

Hammond Street Senior Center

. Card games, fun and snacks, 6:30-11:30 p.m.

. Piero Brovarone Trio, 9:30-11:30 p.m.

Bangor City Hall Council Chambers

. John Bapst Memorial High School Chamber Wind and String Ensemble, 6:30 p.m.

. Rich Punzi, acoustic and classical guitar, 7:15 p.m.

. Andy Mead Jr., guitar and vocals, 8 p.m.

. Brewer High School Chamber Music vocalists, 8:45 p.m.

. Aurora Jazz Project, four-piece progressive jazz band, 9:30 p.m.

Bagel “Blues” Central

. Opening, 6:30 p.m.

. Ragged Moon, 7-9 p.m.

. Andy Mead Jr., Caleb Sweet and Friends, 9:15-11:30 p.m.

Union Street Brick Church

. Classic rock ‘n’ roll dance with TheRetroRockerz.

Other happenings:

. Poetry reading with David Brainerd and other Maine authors, 10-11 p.m., Lippincott Books, 36 Central St.

. Tailgate party all evening at The Maine Edge, 21 Main St.

Children’s activities:

. Children’s Discovery Museum, open all day, free admission after 5 p.m. Snacks served at 6 p.m.

. Family game night, 6:30-11:30 p.m., Briar Patch, 27 Central St.

. Creative activities for all ages, 6:30-11:30 p.m., Frenchboro Books, Art and Antiques, 46 Columbia St.

. Bangor Symphony Orchestra instrument petting zoo, 6:30-11:30 p.m., 51A Main St.

The schedule of activities is available online at www.downtownbangor.com and at Bangor City Hall, Hammond Street Senior Center, Bangor Opera House, Unitarian Universalist Church, Bagel Central, Union Street Brick Church and at Bangor Symphony’s office.