First Night Hartford

Ring in the New Year in Connecticut's Capital City

First Night Hartford 2009, Hartford's official New Year's Eve celebration, boasts dozens of performances and events and not one but two fireworks displays. It all begins at 2 p.m. on December 31, 2008, and lasts past the stroke of midnight. From live music to an extreme trampoline show, from yoga classes to mask making workshops, First Night events will be held at more than a dozen venues in downtown Hartford, and revelers can partake of it all for just the cost of a First Night pass--$15 for adults and $2 for children under the age of 15.

You can purchase your First Night button in advance at a number of Hartford-area locations including Highland Park Markets, Whole Foods Markets, AAA branches, Sovereign Bank branches, the Bushnell, the CT Transit Information Booth and the Greater Hartford Welcome Center at 45 Pratt Street. At the event on December 31, pass sales and information booths will be located at several downtown locations. Cash and checks are accepted for ticket purchases.

First Night Hartford tickets may also be purchased online in advance through December 18; there is a $1 shipping fee.

This is the 20th year that Hartford has marked the dawn of a new year with a public, non-alcoholic celebration of the arts, and this year's roster of performances and events is packed with family-oriented fun. First Night 2009 events include:

Battle of the Bands - Top local bands compete for prizes in front of judges and a live audience at Hartford 21.

Hat and Mask Making – The Wadsworth Atheneum hosts these hands-on craft workshops.

Flippenout – Flippenout's Extreme Trampoline show will take place four times in Center Court at Hartford 21.

48 Hours of Art – Watch as eight artists transform a space at Hartford 21 over the course of 48 hours, culminating as the year comes to a close.

Live Music – Musical acts performing at First Night include Hartford Steel Symphony (Hartford 21), Northmont (Hartford 21), Joel Martin & Friends (Center Church), Latin Spirits (Charter Oak Cultural Center) and Mike Woodard (State House Square).

First Night Yoga - Introductory 15-minute yoga classes begin at 8:30 p.m. at the XL Center.

A complete schedule of events and performers is available online at the First Night Hartford Web site. The Family Fireworks take place at 6 p.m. at Bushnell Park, and the Midnight Finale at Bushnell Park will also feature fireworks as Connecticut says "hello" to 2009.

First Aid stations will be located at First Night Headquarters (242 Trumbull Street) and on Trinity Street in Bushnell Park.

If you are going... A map of First Night venues is available online, along with shuttle bus and parking information. The event will be held regardless of weather conditions.

For further details, call 860-722-9546 or email Hartford First Night 2009 at info@firstnighthartford.org. To become a First Night volunteer, send an email to volunteers@firstnighthartford.org.

Happy New Year!