Across Lawrence tonight the ritual will begin. People will raise their glasses to toast the new year: 2006.

Confetti will fly around those hugging and kissing as the chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” rings out.

Many public and private celebrations are planned across the city tonight, and some have prepared all week to say goodbye to 2005 in style.

“It’s a good reason to celebrate,” said Morgan Ribordy, a bartender at Phoggy Dogg, 2228 Iowa. “Out with the old, in with the new.”

Ribordy’s bar – like every other one in town – will host a New Year’s Eve party tonight. It will feature a free champagne toast at midnight.

“We pretty much expect our regular crowd and a few extras, hopefully,” Ribordy said.

Joe Schmidtberger said on Friday that his two stores, Alvin’s Wine & Spirits, have been full of customers prepping for celebrations.

Amanda Franklin, of Lawrence, picks up some sparkling white wine for New Year's Eve. Franklin was one of many shoppers picking up their spirits Friday for tonight's festivities.

“They don’t drink on a regular basis, but once or twice a year, they do stop at a package store and load up,” Schmidtberger said.

A midnight champagne toast also will be part of the traditional New Year’s Eve party at The Sandbar, 18 E. Eighth St., with a 1980s retro theme. A $10 cover charge is required at the door, employees said.

The Alvamar Country Club began preparing Friday for tonight’s buffet dinner and dance. Stacee Martin, assistant manager for the club, said it provided members a chance to celebrate.

“I think people are always ready to ring in a New Year, and the best way to do it is to break it in around people in that same mind and same festive spirit,” she said.

Johnny’s Tavern, 401 N. Second St., will offer another theme party.

“The theme is P Diddy’s White Party, so dress up and look good,” said bartender Aaron “Kiwi” Hoare on Thursday during a chat with World Online readers.

But because many celebrations involve excessive alcohol use, law enforcement aims to guard against and crack down on drunken driving.

The Lawrence Police department and the Kansas Highway Patrol plan extra patrols this weekend. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will use routine patrols.

About 45 percent of all fatal wrecks during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays involve impairment from drugs or alcohol, according to police statistics, compared with about 30 percent of all fatal wrecks during the rest of December.

Maj. Mark Goodlow, of the Kansas Highway Patrol, encouraged those who celebrate to plan ahead and use a designated driver.

“When you’re operating a vehicle that weighs 3,000 pounds, the only conscience it has is you,” he said.

Lawrence partygoers can call Tipsy Taxi at 842-TAXI (8294) tonight if they need a free ride home from a party. The program, sponsored by the DCCCA and area businesses, is in its 22nd year in Lawrence.