First Night Hartford

First Night Hartford 2008, Hartford's official New Year's Eve celebration, boasts dozens of performances and events and not one but two fireworks displays. It all begins at 2 p.m. on December 31, 2007, and lasts past the stroke of midnight. From live music to juggling, from dance performances to mask making workshops, First Night events will be held at dozens of venues in downtown Hartford, and revelers can partake of it all for just the cost of a First Night button--$15 for adults and $2 for children under the age of 15.

You can purchase your First Night button in advance at a number of area locations including Highland Park Markets, Big Sky Fitness locations, AAA branches, Sovereign Bank, Hartford Stage, the Bushnell, the Old State House and the Greater Hartford Welcome Center at 45 Pratt Street. At the event on December 31, button sales and information booths will be located at several downtown locations. Cash and checks are accepted for button purchases.

This is the 19th year that Hartford has marked the dawn of a new year with a public, non-alcoholic celebration of the arts, and this year's roster of performances and events is packed with family-oriented fun. First Night 2008 events include:

Hat and Mask Making – The Wadsworth Atheneum hosts these hands-on craft workshops.

Bushnell Park Campfire - First Night Hartford will feature an open campfire in Bushnell Park. Local storytellers, folk singers and musicians will entertain those who gather around the fires.

Comedy Club – The Comedy Club is at The Bushnell's Belding Theater again this year; family-friendly comedians Jessica Kirson and Ryan Maloney will entertain.

48 Hours of Art – Watch as eight artists transform a space at Hartford 21 over the course of 48 hours, culminating as the year comes to a close.

Live Bands – Bands performing at First Night include Mass-Conn-Fusion (State House Square Food Court); the Christopher Dean Band, a blues/soul band from New Jersey (Christ Church); Conscious Band, an eclectic reggae band (Hartford Public Library; and Esteban's Latin Jazz (Capital Community College Auditorium).

Ventriloquist Tom Crowl - Tom Crowl and his talking sidekick, Dangerous Dudley Duck, will perform three shows at the Central Baptist Church Chapel.

A complete schedule of events and performers is available online at the First Night Hartford Web site. The Family Fireworks take place at 6 p.m. at Bushnell Park, and the Midnight Finale at Bushnell Park will also feature fireworks as we say "hello" to 2008.

Hartford Ambassadors will be available throughout downtown to assist visitors. First Aid stations will be located near Capitol Community College, at First Night's Headquarters on the corner of Gold and Lewis Streets and on Trinity Street in Bushnell Park. AAA of Greater Hartford will offer free road service assistance to First Night button wearers who run into automotive trouble.

If you are going... A map of First Night venues will be available online, along with shuttle bus and parking information. The event will be held regardless of weather conditions.

For further details, email Hartford First Night 2008 at info@firstnighthartford.org or call 860-722-9546. To become a First Night volunteer, complete this application, available in .pdf format.

Happy New Year!