First Night celebrations are approaching as communities plan to ring in the new year Monday night. In our region, one city celebrates its 30th First Night, while another cuts back on the festival.
Burlington First Night is one of the longest running of the non-alcoholic family-oriented New Year’s eve festivals in the nation. This year over 90 performing groups will be in venues around the city’s downtown. Executive Director Jen Crowell says they would not be as successful without the support of the community.
Jen Crowell says First Night will offer a mix of local, regional and professional artists.
In smaller cities and villages, First Night either thrives or withers. In the Adirondacks, Saranac Lake is celebrating it’s 7th First Night this year. Chair Sue Patterson says it has grown to embrace all of their limited venues.
In Montpelier, there will be no official First Night. Montpelier Alive - aka the Downtown Community Association’s Executive Director Phaywanh Luekhanhan says there will be a new winter festival in February.
