Boston's First Night is the most spectacular, a full day of indoor-outdoor entertainment starting at 1 p.m. at dozens of venues throughout downtown. Past celebrations have included an eye-popping laser show, colossal ice sculptures, glittering fireworks displays, music for every taste, comedy, magic, movies, puppets, animation and a grand procession reminiscent of Mardi Gras. Many Boston hotels offer packages that include buttons, New Year's Day brunch and parking.
In a quirky send-up of the Waterford ball drop in New York's Times Square, Port Clinton, Ohio, which calls itself the Walleye Capital of the World, has the Madness at Midnight Walleye Drop. Yes, that's right, after an evening of games and activities in heated tents, dancing the wallerena and sampling such specialties as walleye chowder, walleye tacos and walleye popcorn, this small town drops Wylie, a 20-foot-long, 600-pound illuminated fiberglass walleye from 60 feet in the air. Leading the crowd in the Lake Erie Wave will be the Walleye Festival queen and princess. (For non-anglers, the walleye is a highly prized freshwater fish, so named for its pearlescent eye.)
In Easton Maryland, the star of the First Night Talbot Celebration is not a fish, but a crab. After storytelling, music, dance, magic, children's activities and local gospel choirs, there are two countdowns, one at 9 p.m. for the kids and one at midnight, ending with the town's Crab Drop.
Mount Washington Valley, N.H., will ring in 2007 with an afternoon and evening celebration that includes horse-drawn rides, face painting, storytelling, clowns, a parade and family fun in Schouler Park. Indoor evening venues in North Conway village feature jazz, folk, Celtic, bluegrass and classic rock music. At midnight, a lighted sphere is lowered to the accompaniment of fireworks.
Charleston, S.C., has a citywide admission-free program with music from gospel to jazz, children's activities, comedy, dance, street entertainment and more.
First Night Alexandria, which runs from 7 p.m. until midnight (the children's venue opens at 5 p.m.), is the largest family-focused celebration in northern Virginia, featuring more than 60 bands, musicians and entertainers performing indoors in hotels and businesses throughout Old Town and Del Ray. Free shuttles transport holidaymakers from venue to venue, with fireworks at midnight.
Salt Lake City has a two-night celebration. On Dec. 30, from 6 to 10 p.m., the party includes an American Indian pow wow, music, performance art and children's activities. On Dec. 31, the Gallivan Center event runs from 6 p.m. till midnight and includes music, ice skating, roving performers and a fireworks finale.
Delray Beach in Florida has a fabulous first night, a major visual and performing arts festival that takes place on Atlantic Avenue from 4 p.m. till midnight.
Indianapolis offers a pair of events that work well for families with young children. The zoo opens on New Year's Eve from 5 till 9 p.m. Guests receive party hats, visit with the Radio Disney Party Patrol, tour the holiday-lit grounds and take in the dolphin show, bounce house and laser light show before the 9 p.m. countdown. The State Museum also rings the New Year in early, with an event that runs between 6:30 to 9 p.m. and includes magicians, clowns, crafts, live music, a performance by Dog Talk and a balloon drop and countdown at 8 p.m.
To find a First Night celebration near you, visit www.firstnight.com.
Lillian Africano is a freelance travel writer.
© Copley News Service
