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First Night Canfield rings in 2011
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Clowns roamed the halls of Canfield Village Middle School entertaining children and adults during First Night Canfield 2011.
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.Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Volunteers in the Pat Catan’s craft zone at the middle school during Night Canfield 2011 included, from left, Jessica Houser, Mary Elizabeth Monda, Briana O’Malley, Bella Gullia, Natalina Valley and Karlina Valley.
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Kids and adults alike enjoyed the Lights, Music and Big Balls, sponsored by Jubilee Christian Fellowship, at Canfield Village Middle School during First Night Canfield 2011.
By ABBY SLANKER
To bring 2010 to a close and welcome 2011, First Night Canfield commemorated its 13th year of celebrating the arts on New Year’s Eve while providing fun, family entertainment throughout the city. The event has averaged about 2,500 revelers in past years.
Entertainment was available at five venues around Canfield, including St. Michael’s Church and Family Life Center, Old North Church, Canfield Presbyterian Church, Lord of Life Lutheran Church and Canfield Village Middle School.
The celebration culminated at midnight with a countdown to “Rockin’ in the New Year!” at Old North Church.
“The First Night Canfield committee would like to thank the community for pulling together to make this event happen. We have over 170 sponsors, and because of them, we are able to admit students free of charge,” said Suzanne Heino, First Night Canfield executive director.
St. Michael’s Church and Family Life Center offered the Teen Zone, which included local youth bands, the Game On! Game Zone and gymnasium games. The Canfield Presbyterian Church hosted the Seraphim Chorus, String Theory, Colleen McNally-Harris with Dr. Dan Laginya and Harper Kirk, Tapestries of Ohio and Carol Weakland, “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.”
Lord of Life Lutheran Church offered performances by Jay Michael, J.D. Eicher and the Goodnights, Thought the World, Ruth’s Robics and Dance, Burkes Irish Step and Dance, Liz Rubino Studios and Friends “For Good” Madison Gulfo and Christine Sylvester.
Old North Church provided a variety of entertainment, including “Once Upon a Time” Disney tribute, Erie Travelers, Elysia Shutrump and Andy Mientus, Jim Frank Trio, Jaclyn Hodos, Kick It Up Kloggers, Walnut Lodge Dancers and Dickey White and the All-Stars.
Continuous childrens’ entertainment was held at the middle school and provided a variety of choices, including Porgie the Clown, Jocko the Clown, magic by David the Great, face painting by Patty, caricatures and comedy by E.J., Pat Catan’s craft zone and Karmel Apple balloon artist.
Childrens’ activities included Bounce-A-Round Palooza, sponsored by Bounce-A-Round Boardman and Lights, Music and Big Balls, sponsored by Jubilee Christian Fellowship.
Performances by Ladies of Country Music and Get Out and Push were also held at the middle school.
According to Heino, the First Night Canfield committee donated more than 200 buttons to Canfield Community Care Net and Youngstown Speech and Hearing.
“We wanted to make sure families could be together on this special night. It is important to us to help families be together and it is important for kids to be able to be here, because kids can be inspired by one performance or activity and it can help them realize a dream,” Heino said.
Each venue provided food concessions, with proceeds going toward their philanthropies such as scholarships, mission trips and church programming. The Kiwanis of Western Mahoning County provided concessions at the middle school.