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Bring in the New Year during First Night
activities at any of ten New Jersey towns hosting these
family-friendly festivals to celebrate arts and culture.
For close to 20 years, First Night
celebrations have attracted thousands of people to parades,
musical and dance performances, storytelling and magic shows.
Some of the communities hold their activities on site while
others use numerous venues nearby.
“First Night celebrations are a great way for
families and friends to bring in the New Year while enjoying a
diverse selection of entertainment that includes performances
for adults by local artists and children’s attractions,” said
Nancy Byrne, executive director of the New Jersey Office of
Travel & Tourism.
First Night seeks to foster the public's
appreciation of visual and performing arts through an
innovative, diverse and high quality New Year's Eve program,
which provides a shared cultural experience, accessible and
affordable to all. The price of admission varies in each
community, ranging from $5 to $15 per person. Many offer
discounts for children and for those buying in advance.
Communities hosting First Night celebrations
this year include Haddonfield, Camden County; Maplewood/South
Orange and Montclair, all in Essex County; Morris County;
Mount Holly/Burlington County; Ocean City, Cape May County;
Toms River, Island Heights, Manchester, South Toms River,
Ocean County; Red Bank and Manasquan, Monmouth County; and
Ridgewood, Bergen County.
In Haddonfield, churches, schools, and
community buildings will host almost four-dozen performances
along Kings Highway throughout the six-hour event. Organizers
plan for two separate New Year's "countdowns" in the center of
town at the intersection of Tanner Street with Kings Highway,
one specifically for the children at 9 PM and a second at the
traditional hour of Midnight. New entertainment for 2007
includes Brigid’s Cross performing a blend of Celtic folk/rock
music; Galumpha, an acrobatics trio and Argen-Tango dance duo.
For information visit
www.firstnighthaddonfield.org
In the Borough of Manasquan, festivities will
begin with a pet parade at the Algonquin Theater on the plaza
at 1:30 p.m. Other activities include a carnival, music of the
50’s and 60’s performed by The Time Cruisers, a dance variety
show and karaoke and lip sync program.
For information visit
www.manasquan-nj.com
Maplewood/South Orange are teaming up to host
a multitude of events. The afternoon program scheduled from
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. will include a craft workshop,
storyteller and puppets. The evening program begins at 7:30
p.m. at Columbia High School. The tentative itinerary includes
line and square dancing, world music by The David Glukh
Klezmer Ensemble and a jam session.
For information visit
www.firstnightmapso.org
First Night Montclair will ring in the New
Year with an array entertainment. Scheduled entertainment
includes Legendary singer/songwriter Richie Havens, The
Amazing Kreskin, Master Illusionist and Nickelodeon Live! -
with special guests Dora the Explorer and Diego. The evening
will culminate with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and a
fireworks display at Hillside School playground.
For information visit
www.firstnightmontclair.org
First Night Morris 2007gives you access to an
innovative, diverse and high quality New Year's Eve program at
over 25 indoor venues and two dazzling fireworks displays at
9:15 p.m. and midnight. Buttons will be on sale at over 30
retail locations and online December 1 and will also be
available for sale on the day of the event at 20 North Park
Place (First Night Morris HQ).
For information visit
www.firstnightmorris.com
First Night Burlington County is celebrating
its seventh year of hosting the family-friendly and
substance-free event. The organizers are expecting over 2000
revelers who will have access to events in and around historic
structures in the county seat. Previous years featured
activities that included art exhibits, a comedy show, and
theatrical and musical events. Burlington also features public
spectacles that do not require buttons for entry, such as the
pet parade, street entertainers and fireworks at 9:30 and
midnight.
For more information visit
www.mainstreetmountholly.com/firstnight
In Ocean City revelers can enjoy concerts by a
Gospel Choir, Charles Thomas Drifters and the Dixie Land Band.
Additional performers include Flamenco Dancers, Ron Geoffries-The
Comic Illusionist and the Give-n-Take Jugglers. Prior to the
evenings’ activities, Ocean County will offer a tour of the
Bed and Breakfast Inns from noon to 3 pm. Jitney services will
be provided.
For more information visit
www.firstnightoceancitynj.com
Visitors to Ocean County can participate in
activities being held in several towns. Toms River, Island
Heights, Manchester and S. Toms River are scheduled to
participate in the event. Fireworks will be a grand farewell
to the old year and spectacular welcome to the new.
For more information visit
www.firstnightoceancounty.org
Red Bank First Night runs from 6:00 pm until
12:30 am. The township will offer an eclectic list of
performers, from a variety of music styles (including Opera,
Jazz, Blues, Folk, Rock, Pop, Country, Chorale, Barbershop,
Bagpipes), children’s activities (Storytelling, Face painting,
Clowns, Magicians, Arts and Crafts) and a mixture of other art
styles (Poetry, Storytelling, Theatre).
For more information visit
www.redbankfirstnight.com
First Night Ridgewood 2007 has booked some of
the finest talent in theater, music, dance and comedy preceded
by a children's program at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.
The School is also the site of the dazzling fireworks display
that kicks off the evening entertainment.
For more information visit
www.firstnightridgewood.com
For information about First Nights visit
www.firstnight.com
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