Preparations, promotions begin for First Night 2010 in Youngstown

By Peter H. Milliken

YOUNGSTOWN — Featuring a wide variety of New Year’s Eve entertainment in the city’s downtown and Youngstown State University areas, First Night is an affordable, family-friendly, non-alcoholic celebration that offers something for everyone, its organizers say.

“For a $10 badge, where else in one evening can you get that level of entertainment if you had to buy a ticket to all of those different venues independently?,” asked Sandra Cika, First night marketing director. The $10 adult badge provides admission to all First Night events, she added.

Children 12 and under attend free; and students through college, military personnel, civil servants and senior citizens attend for $5.

Cika made her remarks at Sunday’s spaghetti dinner at St. Patrick Church on Oak Hill Avenue, which was a fundraiser for the non-profit First Night, which is celebrating its 10th year.

“This gives the citizens of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley and the whole region a good event to go to annually in downtown Youngstown and see the wonderful venues that we do have,” said John R. Swierz, seventh ward city councilman.

“It gives families and individuals, young and old, and everywhere in between, a great time to come out and see what the city has to offer and get some of the best top-rate entertainment that the region has to offer,” said Bob Barko Jr., president of First Night’s board of directors.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.