Release Date: Tuesday, December 23rd 2008
First Night® Akron 2009 Offers New Year's Eve Entertainment for Children
Akron, Ohio - First Night Akron is the perfect New Year's Eve event for the whole family with admission buttons costing only $10 for adults and free admission for children under 10. All activities offered at First Night are familyfriendly and the activities geared toward children are especially interactive and fun.
Kids Activities You Won't Want to Miss:
Show and Tell with Trish and Mel is a hilarious interactive variety show for preschool children that brings books to
life with a host of props, dances and silly gags. Natural Bridges and the NB Puppets is a live-action, family-friendly
comedy show that everyone can enjoy with audience participation encouraged.
Bobo and Gabby will rove throughout the First Night footprint painting faces and making balloon animals. Geldryk,
the World's Tallest Elf, will encourage silliness by singing songs and telling stories. Rufus D. Dufus, the world's most
incompetent magician, will roam the streets of Akron looking for someone who can do the magic that eludes him.
Jack, the First Night Jester is back for more fun and will rove the First Night footprint all night.
The Weathervane Community Playhouse will bring to life the children's classic "Go Dog, Go!" on stage and The
Magical Theatre Company will present the Princess and the Pea, a funny and delightful tale that will come to life
before you eyes. Magic Mike will read minds, make things appear and disappear and provide lots of comedy and
opportunities for audience participation.
In honor of First Night's 13th year, there will be special events for teenagers including a special teen venue at the
Landmark Building with teen rock bands. Back for the 6th year is First Night® Akron Idol, where talented area high
school students compete to claim the top prize! Also participate in the first ever presentation of First Night Rock
Band, sponsored by The Huntington National Bank, and play your favorite video game on the big screen!
Pat Catan's Mask Making provides a place for kids to add feathers, glitter and glue to a mask to create a festive New
Year's Eve masterpiece. Make a musical instrument to help ring in the New Year with the Girl Scouts of
Northeastern Ohio. Visit one of the interactive craft sites or the Make & Shake area where children can make their
own shaker and add a glowing element to bring to the Lights & Beats in the Streets Procession to the Mainstage.
Join the procession at Lock 3 at 8:15 p.m. and travel to the Mainstage for the Kids Countdown Show and mock
countdown at 8:30 p.m. End the night at one or both fabulous FirstMerit Fireworks Shows at 9 p.m. and midnight,
choreographed to Today's Best Music courtesy of 98.1 WKDD.
About First Night Akron
Now in its thirteenth year, First Night Akron is a New Year's Eve celebration unlike any other! This family-friendly,
alcohol-free celebration of the New Year brings the community together to experience a brief moment in time while
creating lasting New Year's Eve memories. Entertainment and fun featuring music, dance, theater, visual and
interactive arts will delight everyone throughout 18 different venues in downtown Akron! For a complete schedule of
events, visit www.firstnightakron.org.
Admission buttons give you access to all 18 First Night venues and nearly 100 performers. Buttons are $10 and
children under 10 are admitted FREE when accompanied by a button-wearing adult. Buttons are on sale at Acme
Fresh Markets, participating FirstMerit Bank branches, Akron Beacon Journal Customer Service Desk, Borders Books
& Music at Chapel Hill, Carolyn's Cupboard in Wadsworth, The Library Shop on Main, Lock 3 Park and Stage Left
Boutique at the Akron Civic Theatre. Buttons and First Night Akron souvenirs may also be purchased online until
December 23 at www.firstnightakron.org.
First Night Akron is a program of the Downtown Akron Partnership. Founding partners are the City of Akron and the
Akron Beacon Journal.
Thank you to our generous First Night sponsors! Platinum Site Sponsors: Acme Fresh Markets, Akron Beacon
Journal, Akron Community Foundation, City of Akron, GAR Foundation, Knight Center of Digital Excellence and John
A. McAlonan Fund. Gold Stage Sponsors: Cummins Bridgeway Power, FirstMerit Foundation, The Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Company, John S. Knight Center, METRO, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation and The Welty Family Foundation.
Silver Project Sponsors: The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation, County of Summit, The Huntington National
Bank, The LeBron James Family Foundation, Labels & Letters, National City, Pat Catan's, Roetzel & Andress LPA,
The Sisler McFawn Foundation and Think Media Studios. Bronze Activity Sponsors: A. Schulman, Inc., Akron
Aeros, Apple Growth Partners & Summit Data Communications, Glenn R. and Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation,
Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund, Brouse McDowell, LPA, Cohen & Company, CPAs, ComDoc, County of Summit
ADM Board, CVS Caremark, Eliokem, GOJO Industries, Inc., Lockheed Martin, Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems,
Laura R. and Lucian Q. Moffitt Foundation, The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, The Murdough Foundation, R.C.
Musson & Katharine M. Musson Charitable Foundation, Ohio Department of Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services,
Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Foundation and Lloyd L. and Louise K. Smith Memorial Foundation. Special Friends:
The Maynard Family Foundation, Miller's Party Rental Center and Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition. Official Radio
Partner: WKDD. Media Partner: Western Reserve PBS.
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