Canfield celebration keeps on growing

Music included everything from classical to classic Billy Joel.
CANFIELD -- Whether they were young or old, liked show tunes or reggae, or wanted a hot dog or a three-course dinner with a show, visitors to First Night Canfield found what they wanted.
The sixth annual New Year's Eve celebration weathered a late afternoon drizzle and entertained a crowd that First Night officials hoped would reach 3,000 with entertainment and activities at schools and churches all over the town.
"It's a great way to start the new year," said Karen Wade of Boardman, waiting in the "Bounce Around" room at Canfield Middle School with husband, Douglas, as their 6-year-old daughter, Savannah, tried out the slides and trampolines. "I like it that there's no alcohol and you don't have to worry about what your children will see."
The family-oriented celebration featured more than 50 entertainment acts and involved close to 200 volunteers from the community, culminating in a midnight fireworks display at Canfield High.
Cooperative effort
"It takes a year to plan, and it's based on the participation of the whole community," said Bob Hudock, a local businessman who coordinated the entertainment activities. "It takes everyone from civic groups to churches to individual citizens. It gets bigger every year."
The children's' venue at Canfield Middle School was an early center of activity, with three hours of games and entertainment topped off by a fireworks display for kids at 9 p.m.
Other attractions included a bluegrass band, clowns, magicians and a caricaturist who had a long line of willing subjects.
The scene was quiet at nearby First Presbyterian Church, which was primarily a classical music venue, featuring a harpist and flutist duo and the Youngstown State University guitar ensemble.
But in another part of the church, the Rickie Rock dance and baton group was getting ready for its version of "The Nutcracker," to be followed by a local belly dancer, cloggers and a martial arts demonstration.
Follows the theme
"It's the theme of First Night -- something for everyone in every place," said Lynn Roman, vice president of the First Night board. "The rain's passed through, the fireworks and the bonfire are a go, and it's going to be a good night."
At Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Amanda Beagle of Howland, the current Miss Ohio, sang opera arias and talked about her experiences in the Miss America pageant.
She signed autographs and posed for pictures after her performance.
"I think she's great," said Bailey Hardick, 8, of Canfield. "I saw her on TV, and she's got an awesome voice."
In the Old North Church's packed gymnasium, a Billy Joel impersonator pounded out the pop singer's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" in front of about 200 people.
"He sounds like Billy Joel, but I'm surprised that he even looks like Billy Joel," said Jeff Wagner of Canfield, listening to the concert along with his wife, Emily; their children Maggie, 13, and Jonathan, 9, and a family friend Hayley Robic, 13.
The event is a chance for the community to get together to start the new year together, said Donna Bristow of Canfield. She and her husband, Tom, were attending with their friends Gary and Victoria Brown and their daughter, Christine.
"People kind of get isolated from each other sometimes," she said. "This is a good chance to see people you know but also to get together with different kinds of people. It's a good way to start the new year."