Celebrating New Year’s Eve with First Night State College? Here are 5 things not to miss

Say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020 in downtown State College with performances, ice sculptures, carriage rides and more. There’s a full day of events planned for First Night State College from noon-11 p.m. Tuesday, but here are a few things about the annual festival not to miss.

For more information and a full schedule, visit firstnightstatecollege.com.

Resolution Run 5K

Presented by Mount Nittany Health, the Resolution Run 5K starts at 6:30 p.m. on College Avenue. Runners are encouraged to dress up in costume and non-runners encouraged to cheer along the route.

Performances

Dance, kid’s shows, comedy, country music, jazz — take your pick of First Night acts. Held at various venues including Woskob Family Gallery, State College Presbyterian Church and Hyatt Place State College, some performances are free to attend, but a First Night State College button provides general admission to workshops and indoor performances.

Buttons cost $10 and can be purchased at businesses throughout the Centre Region, at the office of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts or performance sites on New Year’s Eve.

Ice sculptures

First Night sculptors will return to wow visitors, with more than 85 one-block ice sculptures displayed in front of downtown businesses, in Sidney Friedman Park and on Mayor Welch Plaza in front of the State College Municipal Building.

Carriage rides

Bundle up to ride on a carriage drawn by Percheron draft horses through downtown State College. Rides are offered from 7-10 p.m. on a fist come, first served basis.

Ice skating

Head to Pegula Ice Arena to hit the ice with music provided by Larry Moore Productions. Ice skates may be rented free of charge at the arena, with skating sessions beginning at 5,6,7,8,9 and 10 p.m. A First Night button is required to access the arena.

The CATA White Loop bus service will run to the arena from the Beaver Avenue stop at Schlow Centre Region Library.

This story was originally published December 27, 2019 at 8:33 AM.