This New Year’s Eve will be a milestone for southern Utah’s biggest party of the year: First Night St. George. Ten years ago, thousands of people flocked to Historic Main Street to celebrate or grieve over what they thought could possibly be the beginning of the end with Y2K. As we all counted down to the year 2000 together, many of us held our breath as the clock struck midnight, and to the amazement of many, computer systems adapted and life continued virtually uninterrupted.

Despite the trying circumstances we find ourselves in today as global economies weaken and budgets get reduced, city officials felt that it was still important for us to come together as a community to celebrate the fact that we still live in one of the greatest places on earth.

“I think it is important that we maintain some normalcy in our community during difficult times and a celebration like First Night is a great way to come together while putting the stresses of daily life aside for an evening,”  says Mayor Dan McArthur.

Given the fact that city budgets have been reduced this year, First Night organizers decided to create a more intimate location for the downtown event, and the clear choice was the highly popular St. George Town Square completed in late 2007.

“Town Square is the most suitable gathering place in the heart of our city. I can’t think of a better venue for a community celebration of this magnitude,” says Gary Sanders, City Community Arts Administrator and St. George First Night director.

Since the Town Square is smaller than the six blocks First Night has historically utilized along Main Street, organizers have consolidated stages and will be taking advantage of every square foot of property on the two-block site, including parking lots.

“There’s going to be something going on everywhere you turn during the event. I think it will be a nice change and bring us closer together, literally and communally,” says Marc Mortensen, Assistant to the City Manager and First Night Organizer.

A number of this year’s First Night venues will focus on interactive activities designed to get patrons directly involved in the entertainment. For example, Main Street and 100 South will become the stage for aspiring rock stars in this year’s Rock Band competition based on the popular video game. Another venue will feature a huge mural that will be completed over the course of the evening by First Night patrons. If dancing is your thing, the recently completed third floor of the Community Arts Building becomes a swing hall featuring music from the Mick Jones Band. These and many more activities will keep attendees of all ages movin’, groovin’, singin’, paintin’ and participatin’ all night long.

The Main Stage will occupy the Parade Grounds area at the Square and feature local southern Utah performing artists including the Lawn Darts. Magicians, clowns, and other special visual and performing artists will be scattered throughout the event creating a fun, festival atmosphere as patrons meander from venue to venue. Special performances and shows are scheduled every hour for the LDS Tabernacle, Community Arts Center and School District Administration Building throughout the night. A children’s area providing all kinds of arts, crafts and games will keep kids entertained for hours. There will be a fireworks display for children at 10:00 p.m. followed by the thunderous fireworks display as we ring in 2010 together.

Instead of tickets, First Night patrons buy buttons or wristbands. The cost of a button or wristband in advance of the event is $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 2-11. At the event, the price goes up $1.00 for both. The button or wristband gets you into any event at First Night. Whether you want to play in the children's area, have your souvenir photo taken, play in the Rock Band competition or listen to the best music southern Utah has to offer, the button is your passport to a fun-filled evening of entertainment. All indoor venues and outdoor nonpaying activities, including the children’s area, require the button for admittance. All proceeds collected help fund performing and visual artists.

Buttons can be purchased the day following Christmas (December 26) at the following locations: Sand Hollow Aquatic Center, St. George Recreation Center, St. George Art Museum, St. George City Office Building, Spectrum and Daily News locations, Boulevard Home Furnishings, and Lin’s Market locations.

All events begin at 7:00 p.m. For more information and a downloadable event guide, go to www.sgcity.org/firstnight/.

Other New Year’s Festivities

·          Brian Head Resort Fireworks & Torchlight Parade
A family New Year’s party wherein skiers can gracefully glide down the slopes of Brian Head Resort and follow it up with a dazzling fireworks display and party. The event is free. For more information, call 435-677-2035 or visit www.BrianHead.com.

·          Rockin’ and a-Rollin’ New Years Eve
The Rockin’ and a-Rollin’ New Years Eve Party will be held in the Iron County Fair Ground Building in Parowan from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Bring your skates and dance all night. This is a family event with popcorn and root beer. The party is $5 per person. For more information call 435-477-9022.

·          Hip-Hop Dance with DJ Spinz
The Electric Theater is hosting a New Year’s Eve dance party starting at 9:00 p.m. Admission is $5.