People in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts will have an opportunity to celebrate the last day of 2013 and bring in 2014 at several long-standing events
A year ago there were concerns First Night Northampton might not survive, but the event with an eclectic mix of music and art is taking place today for the 29th consecutive year. There are a record 22 venues and hundreds of performers throughout the city’s downtown.
Penny Burke, executive director of the Center for the Arts, and the long-time First Night producer, said the family-friendly program that runs from noon to midnight features a troupe of circus acrobats and trapeze artists, a parade down Main Street, a poetry slam, a light opera performance and more than 50 musical acts.
"A lot of bang for your buck as they say."
As an added enticement for people to attend First Night Northampton the city is offering free parking on streets and in municipal lots.
Although there are some new venues and some new acts this year, there are a lot of traditional elements to Northampton’s First Night. The performances will pause at 6:15 for a fireworks show.
"We do that so that families who have younger children can spend the afternoon and have fireworks as well," said Burke.
The entertainment winds down by 11:30 to allow people to gather on the streets to watch the raising of a sculptured globe on the roof of the Hotel Northampton to mark the arrival of 2014 at midnight.
" It is a beautiful global sculpture that can be lit and on New Year's Eve it is this fantastic LED light show. It is a lot of fun," said Burke.
A year ago, with the Center for the Arts faced with losing its lease, Burke said she could no longer devote the time required to produce First Night and develop a new community arts center. But things eventually fell into place when other groups offered to lend a hand with First Night and the center purchased a building that will be used as an office and rehearsal space for artists.
First Night is the Center for the Arts’ primary fundraiser, but Burke said producing the event is a year-round labor-intensive process.
" In no way are we going to abandon it."
For the 17th year First Night Junior is being held today in Holyoke. Susan Kelley, executive director of the Children’s Museum at Holyoke, said the event takes place throughout Heritage State Park with face-painting, magic shows, music performances, arts and crafts, and ice sculptures. There is a ball drop just before 4 p.m. when the event ends.
" It is truly a family event. Parents love it because the kids are busy."
In Springfield, Bright Nights at Forest Park—the large drive-through holiday light show—also has a children’s theme on New Year’s Eve. At Santa’s Cottage, there are free noisemakers, hats and tiaras.