First Night State College canceled due to COVID-19; virtual event to take its place
For the first time in 26 years, First Night State College will not go on.
The annual Dec. 31 event — which features ice sculptures, ice skating and downtown performances — was canceled Thursday due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. The decision was made only after consulting with officials from the state Department of Health and the State College borough, event organizers said.
“We understand that, in the past, First Night has represented a look toward the future and that’s why we feel the same disappointment as each of you with this year’s situation,” said Renata Engel, the board president of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which produces the event.
In place of First Night State College will be a virtual event, A December to Remember, which will occur from late November until shortly before Christmas. Details on the virtual festival events — which will include an online artists market, performances and art projects — can be found online once scheduled, at arts-festival.com.
“Staff and volunteers already are creating events and activities that will kick off in November to spark your imagination and bring us together in spirit and online,” Engel added in a written statement. “We’ll draw on the creativity and collaboration that are central to our mission. And we’ll stay steadfast in our commitment to providing the memorable experiences our community looks forward to during this special time of year.”
The inaugural First Night State College kicked off Dec. 31, 1994, and continued ever since. Many communities host similar events, which were inspired by Boston in 1976 before moving on to Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1982.
A $10 First Night State College button got those interested into all performances and some activities last year. Other First Night activities have routinely included a grand procession with puppets and drums, a 5K run and workshops (art, craft, music, dance) for children and adults.
First Night is just the latest in community events to cancel due to the pandemic. Local summer staples were also called off, such as Arts Fest, Grange Fair and People’s Choice.
As of Thursday, Centre County has experienced 2,755 positive cases of COVID-19.
This story was originally published October 1, 2020 at 5:15 PM.
