It is said that the concept of celebrating the New Year has existed for as long as earthly agriculture, as farmers were the first to notice and record the cyclical nature inherent in the procession of seasons.

About 4,000 years ago, the people of ancient Babylon welcomed the new year in what is now known as March, with an eleven-day festival during which class distinctions and social conventions were set aside for the sake of a really good party.

Several millennia later, the Romans heralded the winter solstice in a similar way, with slaves and masters switching places during the week-long Saturnalia celebration.

In the year 153 B.C., provincial unrest in Hispania forced two Roman consuls to take office earlier than the traditional March 15. The men chose Jan. 1 to begin their term, and in typical Roman fashion, the first day of the new year. The pagan Saturnalian celebrations of the previous week began to spill over to this date, and the New Year’s Day hangover was invented.

Today there is only one night and one day to celebrate and reflect upon the passage of time. But this year’s Last Night, First Day celebration on the Island will easily eclipse the Babylonians two-week gala by virtue of the sheer variety of activities planned.

From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. this coming Wednesday at the Tisbury Marketplace, revelers will find music, lights and an articulated ladder truck, atop which will rest a mystery ball. The ball will remain on top of the ladder until 9 p.m. when it drops to reveal . . . something mysterious.

On Main street and at the marketplace, ice sculptors will demonstrate their skills in the delicate maneuvering of their chainsaws, pulling form from solid blocks of ice in a loud spray of snow while deejay Steve McCullough spins old school rhythm and blues and the high school Minnesingers do what they do best.

This year will not see a fireworks display. Instead, there will be a light show competition featuring monetary prizes. Light sculptors from around the Island are expected to flood the night with light as they vie for top prizes with weird and fantastic electric artworks.

Those visiting Fourway on Franklin street will marvel at a magical 24-foot, 3,000-light tree, plus antique toy trains.

The Black Tie, High Top Ball in celebration of the late bluesman Maynard Silva, who died this year, will be at Saltwater Restaurant. This formal event will feature hors d’oeuvres, champagne and dessert, and dance music provided by The Stingrays. Tickets are $75 and are available at the chamber of commerce office on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven, and at the Last Night, First Day Welcome Center at In the Pink on Main street in Vineyard Haven. Proceeds benefit the Tisbury Volunteer Ambulance Association.

There will be Main street performances by the Jeremy Berlin Trio, Ballyhoo, Mike Benjamin Band and others. At the Baptist church, Susan Klein will tell stories and Mark Alan Lovewell will sing. Waterside Market will feature musicians Tristan Israel, Paul Thurlow and the Wes Nagy Trio.

Annual favorites like Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish and the Martha’s Vineyard Belly Dance Revue will perform at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, while at Sail MV, there will be a special celebration of the music of Maynard Silva with Joe Keenan, Al Shackman and The Jim Thomas Spiritual Choir with the U.S. Slave Songs Project.

On Jan. 1, First Day celebrations will include the world-famous High School Musical at the Capawock theatre at 3 p.m., skating at the Martha’s Vineyard Arena, and of course the Crazy Zany Hat Parade.

Admittance to all events is with Last Night, First Day Buttons, except the Black Tie, High Top Ball. Buttons purchased before Christmas are $10, and are $12 between Christmas and New Year’s eve. The cost for students is $8. Buttons are available at Mocha Mott’s in Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs, at the Bunch of Grapes temporary location on Church Street, Vineyard Haven, next to Beadniks, at Alley’s General Store in West Tisbury and Espresso Love in Edgartown.

For more information call 508-696-4214, 508 693-0085, 508-696-7400 or go to mvy.com or mvol.com.

Volunteers are needed. Call 508-696-4214.