Release Date: Tuesday, November 13th 2007
First Night Invites You to Celebrate with Whole Community
From the artwork on admission buttons to diverse entertainment options, First Night® Akron 2008 is an invitation to Even more fun you can’t miss! Grab the kids and head to Lock 3 Park to be part of the biggestSurprise Party in town! First Night Kids Club members are throwing Jack the First Night Jester a surprise birthday party. Before the big surprise at 8 p.m., First Night Families (defined by whoever it is you’re with at First Night!) can create their very own First Night Festive Baton to carry in the First Night Family Procession. The procession begins at 8:15 p.m. at Lock 3 Park and makes its way to the Main Stage for the 8:30 p.m. Kids Show and mock countdown with fireworks at 9 p.m. Summit Artspace will be transformed on December 31 with artist Mark Soppeland’s Land of the Midnight Sun, an interactive, participatory walk-through experience. The international mail art show features amazing works of art from local community members, as well as artists from as far away as xxxx—all done in blacklight friendly media. Guests will even get the chance to add their own artwork to the exhibit on New Year’s Eve. For more information, check out www.blacklightexperiment.com. Find out more online at www.firstnightakron.org! Visit First Night’s website for a complete list of all the fun happening downtown on New Year’s Eve New limited edition buttons! Show your support for the local arts community by purchasing a First Night Arts Patron button! The perfect gift for the art lover who has everything! This limited edition, collectible button allows access to all First Night events on New Years Eve. It features artist Linda Hutchinson’s design, colorful lights and will set you apart from the crowds on December 31! Arts Patron buttons cost $20 and help fund First Night’s talented local artists. Arts Patron button are available November 23 exclusively at Don Drumm Studios, the Akron Art Museum store, The Library Shop on Main, Stage Left Boutique, Carolyn’s Cupboard and online at www.firstnightakron.org. Admission to First Night Akron is a $10 button. Children under 10 years old are admitted free. Buy admission buttons online at www.firstnightakron.org until December 25. Buttons are also available at all Acme Fresh Market stores and participating FirstMerit bank branches. For more information, including a complete schedule of First Night entertainment, visit the website:www.firstnightakron.org. First Night is a program of Downtown Akron Partnership. Founding Partners of the program are the City of Akron and the Akron Beacon Journal. ###
community members from every neighborhood and neighboring city to share in the experience.
As always, First Night is family-friendly and alcohol free with entertainment packed into 21 downtown sites. More than 30 visual and interactive art activities and 50 performing artists and groups, representing dance, theater, and music make the evening one you’ll never forget. Metro buses make it easy to stay warm while you see it all! They’ll transport your family and friends as you discover the magic of First Night. The excitement will culminate when the Midnight Countdown Show begins at 11:30 p.m. featuring Cats on Holiday. Then kiss 2007 goodbye with a bang as the FirstMerit Fireworks display fills the sky to Today’s Best Music courtesy of 98.1 WKDD.