First Night St. Johnsbury 2012 – the biggest New Year's Eve celebration in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom and New Hampshire’s North Country – marks its 19th annual festival of the arts. A line-up of entertainment that’s bigger than ever will fill the evening of December 31 from 4 p.m. to after midnight at 18 venues from the south to the north ends of Main Street and from Western to Eastern Avenues. Revelers can enjoy all kinds of fine music to suit every taste and show after show featuring comedy, dance, movies, magic, hypnotism, fire juggling, star gazing, and visual arts. In addition to special family music and puppet shows, children can enjoy stories, games and other activities.
Just consider the scope of this year’s offerings: over 50 different shows (20 brand new to First Night!) in over 100 performances by over 170 performers, all for the nominal price of a souvenir button.
First Night is especially excited to welcome to the main stage at Fuller Hall Vermont’s own nationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell. A new dance venue has been added at the VFW Hall on Eastern Avenue. Catamount Arts has doubled its theater showings with four music-themed films.
And in addition to the midnight fireworks, a second “finale” is scheduled earlier in the evening right after the Family Fun Fair. Don’t miss the luminous launching of a myriad of sky lanterns by Dancing Djinn.
St. Johnsbury is one of about 75 communities in the United States celebrating New Year’s Eve under the forward-looking (though technically inaccurate) hopeful “First Night” trademark. Led by a group of citizens and sponsored by area businesses and organizations to create a diverse community substance-free event, First Night St. Johnsbury has been a spectacular success since its beginning in 1993. Now in its second year with Catamount Arts as our managing partner, First Night is an independent not-for-profit organization overseen by a volunteer board of directors and operated by a large corps of volunteers.
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Jay Sprout, President
First Night St. Johnsbury
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Dear Friends,
Welcome to First Night 2012. On behalf of the town administration of St. Johnsbury, Happy New Year.
2011 was our first full year in St. Johnsbury and my family and I are so thankful for your friendship and support. My wife, Lisa and I are excited to spend First Night again with all of our friends and neighbors. As we learned last year, the Kingdom can really throw a New Year’s Eve party – safe, fun, and for the entire family. We’re glad you invited us to be a part of it!
St. Johnsbury took big steps in 2011…doesn’t it seem like the whole Town has been under construction? But, it’s all for a great future. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we move forward. 2012 is going to be a lot of the same, all for the good of the community.
In the meantime, from my family to yours, please have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012 and wonderful – and safe – time on First Night.
Best Wishes,
Ralph Nelson
Town Manager, St. Johnsbury |
Ralph Nelson, Manager
Town of St. Johnsbury |
