Let's help to strengthen First Night tradition in Valley

The Mahoning and Shenango valleys will join the world in traditional revelry Saturday night, when the largest one-day party event of the year unfolds once again.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the oldest and most universal holiday, are rich in traditions. Throughout early history, annual harvests offered a way for people to track new years. In 153 B.C., the Romans first observed Jan. 1 as New Year's Day.
Over the last few centuries, traditions have abounded. We sing "Auld Lang Syne," composed in 1788 and loosely translated as "The Good Old Days". We make toasts for a prosperous year ahead, make resolutions to better ourselves, eat pork and sauerkraut to bring good fortune and watch Dick Clark rock in another year in Times Square.
What is First Night?
Twenty-nine years ago, a new tradition was born in Boston. There the premiere First Night event took place. A group of friends in Beantown created a First Night franchise based on a foundation of community, celebration, the new year, and the arts. Today, First Night observances on New Year's Eve have grown to include more than 200 cities worldwide, including three in the Mahoning Valley.
Each event offers a cornucopia of affordable, convenient, entertaining and enriching activities that we hope draw record crowds of supporters.
In Youngstown, officials expect turnout to exceed the 3,500 who attended last year. Officials hope many of the 6,000 patrons attending New Year's Eve Disney shows at The Chevrolet Centre will stay downtown to visit the two dozen venues featuring music, art, historic exhibits, children's activities, horse-and-buggy rides, fireworks and more. For more information on events that run from 5 p.m. to midnight or on admission buttons, check the Web site at www.firstnightyoungstown.org or telephone (330) 742-0445.
In Canfield, internationally acclaimed singers, actors, magicians and home-grown talent from Easy Street Productions, Amanda Beagle, cabaret singers, Irish step dancers and more will entertain First Night patrons at sites throughout the city. The celebration begins at 4 p.m. and ends with a bonfire and fireworks at 11:30 p.m. at the high school. For more information on First Night Canfield, visit www.firstnightcanfield.com or telephone (330) 533-2290.
In Columbiana County, First Night Salem officials are also counting on a bigger and better festival than their inaugural event last year. Some 36 events at 17 locations are planned in the city. First Night Salem also will mark the opening of the Quaker City's bicentennial. For information on all the events and links to performers and venues, visit http://www.geocities.com/firstnightsalem/.
Setting a new standard
In addition to the emphasis on community and arts, another common denominator of First Night is that each event is alcohol-free. First Night is showing communities that consumption of beer, wine and other spiritous beverages need no longer be synonymous with New Year's traditions.
We wish organizers of all three First Night events in the Mahoning Valley success toward strengthening a vibrant, positive and entertaining community New Year's tradition.