Release Date: Thursday, December 31st 2009

Happy New Year!

12/31/2009 - West Side Leader

By Staff Writer

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Say goodbye to 2009!

Akron area residents will be doing just that at First Night® Akron, set for tonight, Dec. 31, from 5 p.m. to midnight. The annual event features music, dance, theater and visual art entertainment at many venues in Downtown Akron.

Among the unique visual art offerings this year will be “Beneath the Land of Ice and Snow,” somewhat of a sequel to last year’s “The Land of Ice and Snow,” which was a large animatronic multimedia snow globe, shown at left, created by artists Daniel Coffield and Kevin Smalley. This year’s creation, headed up by Coffield, of Stow, will be on display under the marquee of the Akron Civic Theatre.

The event will be capped off for young children at 9 p.m. with the first of two fireworks shows at Lock 3 Park. The second, for the older crowd, will take place at the stroke of midnight. A photo of last year’s display is shown at right.

First Night Akron buttons are required for admittance to events, but children younger than 10 will be admitted for free with a button-wearing adult. Parking is free. Buttons are on sale at Acme Fresh Markets, some FirstMerit Bank branches, the Akron Art Museum, Borders Books and Music in Cuyahoga Falls, Carolyn’s Cupboard in Wadsworth, The Library Shop on Main, Lock 3 and the Stage Left Boutique at Akron Civic Theatre.

For more event details, visit www.firstnightakron.org or call (330) 762-9550.