Celebrate New Year's alcohol-free at First Nights

The Mahoning and Shenango valleys will join the world in traditional revelry Sunday 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 of holidays, are steeped in traditions. We sing "Auld Lang Syne" to welcome in the new year. We make toasts for a prosperous year ahead, make resolutions to better ourselves and eat pork and sauerkraut to bring good fortune.
What is First Night?
Thirty years ago, a new tradition was born. In Boston, in conjunction with the nation's bicentennial that year, 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 -- Youngstown, Canfield and Salem.
Each event offers a cornucopia of affordable, convenient, entertaining and enriching activities that we hope draws record crowds of supporters Sunday night.
The objectives of First Night are noble: to recapture the symbolic significance of the passage from the old year to the new, to unite a community through a shared cultural celebration and to deepen the public's appreciation of the visual and performing arts.
Youngstown, Canfield, Salem
In Youngstown, officials expect a crowd of thousands to flock to some 17 venues along Wick Avenue and in the central business district beginning at 4 p.m. with a pirogi-eating contest at 20 Federal Place. Musicians, magicians, jugglers, sword swallowers dancers, theatrical performances, children's activities and more will be highlights. Youngstown City Council has cleared the way for a spectacular midnight fireworks show.
To get a sneak peak at First Night Youngstown festivities, be sure to visit Vindy.com. There, you'll get an insider's look at some of the featured performers, including Bob Barko re-creating the style and sounds of Bobby Darin, Easy Street Productions songstress Maureen Collins who'll sing Patsy Cline standards and Ronnie Navarra, a local Elvis impersonator. For more information, check the Web site at www.firstnightyoungstown.org or telephone (330) 742-0445.
The ninth annual First Night Canfield's celebration of arts and entertainment kicks off at 5 p.m. with a performance of the internationally acclaimed Youngstown Connection at Old North Church and continues till midnight at about 20 venues in and near the city's downtown. Among other highlights will be cabaret dinner performances, Irish folk music, Oakland Theater performances, an art show, orchestra music and dancing, and continuous children's programming. For more information on First Night Canfield, visit www.firstnightcanfield.com or telephone (330) 533-2290.
The third annual Salem First Night will mix Mardi Gras with New Year's Eve hoopla. Authentic beads imported from Louisiana will be available at many of the 15 venues in the city. A midnight fireworks show at Reilly Stadium will ring in 2007. Music will range from Christian to pop to polka to classical. Visit www.firstnightsalem.com for more information.
In addition to the emphasis on community and arts, a key ingredient to all First Nights is that each event must be alcohol-free. First Night is showing communities that consumption of beer, wine and other spiritous beverages need no longer be a watchword for the holiday.
We wish organizers of all three First Night events in the Mahoning Valley success toward strengthening a vibrant, positive and entertaining New Year's tradition.