Release Date: Tuesday, January 11th 2011
The First Night Akron Celebration is Not Over Yet
Vote for the Winner of The 15 Machine and Enjoy Seven More 15 Year Celebration Events
On Friday, December 31, 2010 almost 17,000 people rang in the New Year at First Night 2011 in Downtown Akron during the 15 Year Celebration of this family-friendly, alcohol-free event! Photos from the event are posted at www.downtownakron.com/photos. But, the fun is not over yet! There’s still a chance to vote for the winner from among seven local middle school groups who created The 15 Machine, and there are still seven more 15 Year Celebration events to enjoy!
Vote for Your Favorite School that Participated in The 15 Machine
First Night concluded with a large-scale STEM project on Main Street in front of Lock 3 sponsored by Time Warner Cable. The project, a Rube Goldberg machine called The 15 Machine, ignited the FirstMerit Fireworks Show at midnight with a collaborative “bang!” From Monday, January 10 through Sunday, January 23, the community has the opportunity to vote for their favorite school that participated in The 15 Machine! Visit www.firstnightakron.org/15machine starting Monday, January 10 to be directed to a voting page posted in collaboration with the citizen journalism website, The Akronist. Watch a video of the machine in action, pick your favorite school, and vote once a day per household. The school with the most votes will receive a year’s supply of science supplies and an eight-minute segment on the local program “Ask Time Warner Cable,” featuring the students and their school.
The Akronist, www.akronist.com, is a great source for hyper-local, neighborhood news, entertainment and information about Greater Akron, created by community members. The website is home to local videos, photos, podcasts, written articles and blogs produced by citizen journalists using the latest digital media tools. The Akronist welcomes submissions from all members of the community.
15 Year Celebration Events
There are still seven of the 15 Year Celebration events left to enjoy with your 15 Year admission button. Click here for event details.
Saturday, January 15 and Sunday, January 16
Cabin Fever Tours on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Monday, January 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Festival of Nations at the Akron Civic Theatre
Wednesday, January 26-Sunday, January 30
Free Admission to the Akron Art Museum
Wednesday, February 9, 6:30 p.m.
Dance Through the Ages at the Akron-Summit County Public Library
Monday, February 14-Sunday, February 20
Free Admission to the Akron Zoo
Tuesday Evening, March 8
Behind the Scenes with Actors’ Summit Theater
Tuesday, April 5-Friday, April 8, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Admission closes at 4:30 p.m.)
Self-Guided Manor House Tour at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Purchase Additional First Night Buttons
15 Year Celebration buttons, originally $15, are now available at a discounted rate of $10 at www.firstnightakron.org while supplies last. Traditional First Night admission buttons, originally $10, are now available for $5. (Add $1 for shipping and handling per button.)
If you have already purchased a 15 Year admission button and wish to purchase a traditional First Night admission button as a keepsake, bring your 15 Year admission button to the First Night office to purchase a traditional First Night admission button for only $1. The First Night office is located at Greystone Hall, 103 S. High St., 4th Floor, Downtown Akron, and is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Call 330-374-7690 for more information.
15 Year Photo Contest
The winner of the 15 Year Photo Contest, as voted by community members at the December 2010 Artwalk in Downtown Akron is David Oliger of Clinton, Ohio, who won with his photo submission, “Roman Numerals.” Oliger received a gift certificate to the Downtown Akron restaurant of his choice.
First Night Battle of the Bands
The winner of the First Night Battle of the Bands, as voted by First Night attendees on December 31, is Noize from the Basement, an alternative band from Kent, Ohio. The youngest band competing that evening, Noize from the Basement received a prize package including concert tickets and a chance to perform with a national act at Musica in Downtown Akron.
First Night Akron Survey
The First Night Akron 2011 survey is now available for attendees and community members to offer feedback about the event. The survey can be accessed from a link on the homepage of www.firstnightakron.org.