First Night, the State College community New Year’s celebration is back. Here’s what to know.
First Night State College, the community celebration to ring in the new year, will return Saturday in downtown State College.
The alcohol-free event will feature several acts throughout the day, including comedian Robert Mac, juggler Michael Roseman and magician Alan Sands. Live music shows will be held across town with cabaret performances, Jon Rounds with the Guitar Brothers and Joshua Davis’ jazz band Love Salad. Carriage rides, arts and crafts workshops and trivia will be held downtown throughout the event as well.
The event is also Rick Bryant’s last as executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Bryant has been the director since 2005, planning numerous Arts Fest and First Night events.
“I have mixed emotions,” Bryant said. “I have enjoyed my job. But I’m also looking forward to the next chapter of my life.”
Over 80 ice sculptures will be displayed on Allen Street and in Sidney Friedman Park, with 30,000 pounds of ice carved throughout the day. Bryant said the ice sculptures are one of the most popular attractions at the event but his personal favorite is the Burning Man, a scarecrow figure people tie paper resolutions or regrets onto that is set on fire at the end of the festival.
Attendees need a First Night button to attend indoor performances. Buttons cost $10 and can be bought at the door or at participating businesses downtown.
A theatrical procession with papier-mache creatures, puppets and drums will march down Fraser Street to College Avenue at 6:30 p.m. The First Night 5K Resolution Run will start at 6:30 p.m. as well, at the corner of College and Allen. Participants are invited to wear costumes for their run or walk through downtown.
Unlike previous years, there will be no ice skating at Pegula Ice Arena due to a Penn State hockey game but visitors are eligible for a $10 discount on tickets with a First Night button.
Additional information on First Night and schedules of activities and performances can be found online at the First Night website. Bryant recommends checking the First Night Facebook or Twitter pages for updates on the event regarding schedule changes or weather.