FIRST NIGHT YOUNGSTOWN 2012 Crowds welcome new year with music, arts, fun

January 1, 2012 at 12:07a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

It may have been several hours before 2011 wrapped up, but Kaila Harbin had already wrapped up a plan to make a little noise ahead of time.

The 8-year-old Youngstown girl did her part to welcome 2012 during a children’s art session at the SMARTS Center on West Federal Street by proudly displaying a noisemaker she had made with crayons, markers, a folded and stapled paper plate from which several colored strands of crepe paper dangled and, of course, beads for the necessary noise.

Kaila was among participants of all ages who made noisemakers, swans, Chinese dragon puppets and other projects in the art gathering, which was one of numerous activities that made up Saturday’s First Night Youngstown 2012 festivities.

Participants paid $10 each for buttons that admitted them to the family-friendly, nonalcoholic event in its 12th year, which offered plenty of entertainment such as tributes to famous singers Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline and Roy Orbison. Also among the 18 events were a laser show in Youngstown State University’s planetarium, poetry readings, karaoke, swimming, artwork exhibits, storytelling, a magic show and folk music.

Also taking part were at least 15 downtown restaurants.

“I think it’s fun and cool,” Kaila said of First Night Youngstown.

Accompanying Kaila were her father, Jason Swegan, her mother, Heather, and 7-year-old brother, Dakota.

“The hardest part is deciding what to do first,” said Jason, adding that he and the family were planning to see the laser show and possibly visit the Arms Famiy Museum, another participant.

Another possible artist in the making was 3-year-old Tyler Dintino of Youngstown, who came with his grandmother Anita Paris of Liberty.

“I’m making a dinosaur!” Tyler said with glee as he went to work with several colored markers on a paper plate he made during a crafts activity in the Covelli Centre.

The YSU planetarium, which also hosted a children’s show, was one of the top destinations for Paris, who praised First Night’s entertainment.

Two Western Reserve Transit Authority buses took attendees to and from several stations that included First Presbyterian Church on Wick Avenue, the Central YMCA and St. Columba Cathedral on West Rayen Avenue. OH WOW! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology was to have offered hands-on interactive exhibits, but had to close before the event because of an apparent sewer problem, noted Jimmy Decapua Sr., a First Night board member.

It didn’t take long after the opening ceremony at 20 Federal Place for the sound of drums and the site of colorful dancing to fill the atrium, thanks to an hourlong show by the Harambee Dancers.

The temperature may have hovered in the low to mid-40s outside, but that did not prove to be a disappointment to fans of ice skating, many of whom simply donned skates and took advantage of the Covelli Centre’s rink. Several other children at the sports and entertainment facility challenged one another in a computerized bowling game.

Despite tough economic times, this year’s attendance showed signs of surpassing that of the past several years, in part because of First Night’s increased exposure and the unseasonably mild weather, Decapua explained.

In addition, he said, the gathering remains a positive way to promote downtown, which continues to make a comeback.

“It’s a great way to get your family out ... to experience a wonderful event,” said Decapua, who also praised the efforts of an estimated 50 volunteers, many of whom are YSU students. “Downtown is coming back. I’m as pro Youngstown as anybody.”

First Night festivities concluded with a fireworks display and ball drop at midnight at the Covelli Centre to usher in 2012.

Elsewhere in the Mahoning Valley, community New Year’s Eve celebrations also took place Saturday night and early today in Canfield and Salem.