FIRST NIGHT 2009

First Night Youngstown 2009

Gallery

The frosty weather didn’t stop the downtown festivities for families.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — No champagne corks had to pop for New Year’s Eve revelers to have fun downtown.

Men, women and children who braved the 20-degree night weren’t disappointed by First Night Youngstown, a family-oriented, alcohol-free celebration of the arts.

Even the fireworks displays outside the Chevrolet Centre had families in mind, with an early kids’ version set for 9 p.m., followed by the traditional midnight explosions for grown-ups.

Ashley Taylor, 17, and her sister April, 15, both Chaney High School students, came dressed for the cold night, encased in heavy coats with hoods, boots, scarves and gloves.

“We plan to stay for it all,” Ashley said as they stopped to buy admission buttons at 20 Federal Place. “We’re here for the fireworks, ball drop, everything.”

The night featured 18 venues spread around downtown, with something for everyone, from the Rev. Mr. Vit Fiala and Friends classical cellists at First Educators Investment Corporation to magic shows and more at the Oakland Center for the Arts.

Dan Rossi, owner of FEIC, stood outside his building near a barrel filled with burning wood to photograph the cellists inside. He said his children, 2, 5 and 7, were eager for the fireworks display.

The festivities kicked off at 20 Federal Place, the former Phar-Mor Building on West Federal Street with a flag presentation by the 910th Airlift Wing honor guard and the national anthem sung by Capt. Scott Allen.

Mayor Jay Williams wished everyone a happy and prosperous new year, adding, “Youngstown is truly coming to life.”

Earlier, the mayor said his New Year’s resolution is to strive for physical, spiritual and mental fitness. Oh, and he’s going to give up on the “quantity” of junk food he consumes.

Chairs were set up in the rotunda at 20 Federal Place for those who stopped to hear rock ’n’ roll from the Classic Cruisers and standards and polkas from the Eddie Valus Band.

Patrolman Brian Booksing, who stopped in at the food court to grab a snack, shared a Happy New Year hug with McGruff the Crime Dog (Erica Detate).

Since their dad, Denny Kocholek, is the drummer for the Pete Drivere and the Pretty Demons rock band, Jacob, 6, and his sister, Gracie, 3, came in from Hermitage, Pa., to listen to the group at the Davis Building. Their mother, Lori, said it was a “bit too chilly” to walk to the other venues, other than the kids’ fireworks.

At the Draught House, co-workers Tim DiVito, of Boardman, and Dave Schnurrenberger, of Austintown, were among those who sipped a few adult beverages before venturing out to see what the night offered.

Nicholas Matisi, 7, and his brother, Anthony, 5, of Hubbard, had front-row seats for the Pickled Brothers Sideshow at the Oakland Center for the Arts. Their parents, Dana and John, said they also planned to visit the planetarium at Youngstown State University’s Ward Beecher Hall.

Dana Matisi said that, because of the bitter cold, watching the fireworks from the car sounded like a good idea.

The Pickled Brothers, Travis and Eric Fessler, drew applause with their juggling, sword-swallowing act.

Travis Fessler, to verify that the nail he intended to pound into his nose was real, first handed it to Nicholas in the front row. Once it was ruled authentic, not rubber, Travis jammed it up his nose.

He needed help removing it and enlisted a woman in the audience. She good-naturedly declined to keep it as a souvenir.

Canfield and Salem also hosted First Night celebrations to ring in the new year.