Does Your Town Have "First Night" New Year's Eve?

raccoonradio ^ | 12/28/05 | raccoonradio

[raccoonradio]

Does your town or city have a First Night celebration? Mine does--Beverly, MA. Admittedly this year it's been cut back due to lack of volunteers--will "end" at 9:30--but I'm looking forward to it. Usually I work on New Year's Eve but I get it off this year and next.

First Night started in Boston (and the "First Night" name is licensed through that organization) around the time of the Bicentennial as an "alcohol-free New Year's celebration" with arts, concerts, fun for the kids, etc. I live within walking distance of the events here... no worry about drunk drivers (though I'll be careful crossing the street!). Here we have a procession/parade; a "countdown to New Year's in Europe" for the kiddies at 7 pm (hey, some of them might not stay up till midnight), and a couple blues concerts (one featuring nationally-known but locally based Paul Rishell and Annie Raines.

Hayrides, Irish step dancers, music for the kids, and so on. They charge a fee for indoor events--5 bucks this year.

Some other communities have had First Night celebrations but later dropped the tradition because of a lack of volunteers, lack of interest, etc. (I may volunteer to help out next year...may have done the same this year but there was a slight chance I would have had to work, so I didn't. Now I know I'll have it off, however.)

Anyone have something similar in your town?

[raccoonradio]

From one site about a previous _Boston_ First Night:
"While First Night was founded in 1976 as an alternative way to commemorate a holiday known for raucous partying, the celebration has grown to be an annual tradition in the Hub and the largest New Year's Eve arts celebration in North America."

[raccoonradio]

a quick search shows some of the cities holding First Night...now _or_ in the past:

Boston
Tacoma
Pittsburgh
Evanston, IL
Martinez, CA
Annapolis
Albany, NY
Buffalo
Burlington, VT

[colorcountry]

Salt Lake City has one, and has for several years. I even attended ONCE.

[colorcountry]

Go Big! on New Year’s Eve at First Night in Downtown SLC
Saturday, December 31, 2005
First Night Family Festival at The Gateway from 3:00pm to 6:00pm
First Night activities and Big Easy Street on West Temple from 6:00pm to Midnight

First Night activities located at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Rose Wagner Performing Art Center, Abravanel Hall, The Gateway, and Temple Square

Dress Warm! First Night is held at both indoor and outdoor venues – Please Dress Appropriately!
Admission
Your First Night 2006 button is the only ticket you’ll need to enjoy an incredible array of sights, sounds, tastes, and attractions. Simply show your button for admission to all First Night events.


Button prices: Save $2 by purchasing your button in advance! $8.00 advance buttons, $10.00 on the day of. Children 12 and under free.

[raccoonradio]

The one in Beverly, MA has been running since the year I moved here, 1995. While I usually do have to work that night, sometimes I get off work early and can catch part of it--and this year and next I have the whole night off... One year--
2000, I think, there was big band music playing in a huge
church, and a funny folk singer (Don White) playing in an
old church nearby (great acoustics...circular shaped, and
the wooden interior somehow helped the sound out--built
back in 1800s when the preacher didn't have a microphone
to help his voice!)

Another year a tent was set up on a "common" and the New Orleans-styled
Boogaloo Swamis played there. There was a countdown to
the "Fake Millenium" of 1/1/00, and one to the "Real
Millenium" of 1/1/01! It was nice to walk around my seaside New England city (pop 38,000) on New Year's Eve, then
warm up to hot chocolate in one of the churches.

[HOTTIEBOY]

I am a certified alcohologist but I never go out on New Years. I leave it to the ametuers.
Allot of people drinking and partying on New Years only do that two or three times a year and don't have a high tolerance for it. Not that that is a bad thing, I just prefer the company of more seasoned drunks.