First Night Canfield shakes up New Year’s

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During First Night Canfield, the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration, Patty Cervello, left, prepares to paint the face of little Olivia Madura at Canfield Middle School.

CANFIELD

Those ringing in the new year at First Night Canfield helped make it a huge success, its director said. The earthquake that struck the Valley on New Year’s Eve was an exciting topic of conversation and prompted the sharing of many stories, according to Barb Smith, executive director.

A variety of entertainment awaited New Year’s revelers. A cabaret dinner show, teen and youth performers, dancers, tribute bands, ice sculptures and even fireworks amped up the festivities. Adults bought buttons for $10, and young people 18 and younger got in free to all the events.

A Niles woman, Nancy Roberts, won the New Year’s raffle and received a flat-screen TV donated by Boardman Best Buy.

As a result of community feedback, the cabaret dinner show and midnight fireworks returned after being discontinued last year. Smith said organizers listened, brought the features back, and were pleased at the turnout this year.