Release Date: Tuesday, December 23rd 2008
Ohh and Ahh Over the FirstMerit Fireworks
Kiss 2008 goodbye at the First Night Akron Mainstage on New Year's Eve. Celebrate the final
minutes of 2008 with a fabulous FirstMerit Fireworks Show.
The countdown to midnight show will begin on the Mainstage at 11:30 p.m. featuring Colin Dussault's Blue Project.
Countdown the final 10 seconds of 2008 with a fireworks countdown over the Akron Beacon Journal Clock Tower
followed by the FirstMerit Fireworks show at midnight, over Canal Park Stadium, choreographed to Today's Best
Music, courtesy of 98.1 WKDD.
Want to get the kids to bed early or see two fireworks shows in one night? A Kid's Countdown Show will take place
at 8:30 p.m. with fireworks starting at 9 p.m.
About First Night Akron
Now in its thirteenth year, First Night Akron is a New Year's Eve celebration unlike any other! This family-friendly,
alcohol-free celebration of the New Year brings the community together to experience a brief moment in time while
creating lasting New Year's Eve memories. Entertainment and fun featuring music, dance, theater, visual and
interactive arts will delight everyone throughout 18 different venues in downtown Akron! For a complete schedule of
events, visit www.firstnightakron.org.
Admission buttons give you access to all 18 First Night venues and nearly 100 performers. Buttons are $10 and
children under 10 are admitted FREE when accompanied by a button-wearing adult. Buttons are on sale at Acme
Fresh Markets, participating FirstMerit Bank branches, Akron Beacon Journal Customer Service Desk, Borders Books
& Music at Chapel Hill, Carolyn's Cupboard in Wadsworth, The Library Shop on Main, Lock 3 Park and Stage Left
Boutique at the Akron Civic Theatre. Buttons and First Night Akron souvenirs may also be purchased online until
December 23 at www.firstnightakron.org.
First Night Akron is a program of the Downtown Akron Partnership. Founding partners are the City of Akron and the
Akron Beacon Journal.
Thank you to our generous First Night sponsors! Platinum Site Sponsors: Acme Fresh Markets, Akron Beacon
Journal, Akron Community Foundation, City of Akron, GAR Foundation, Knight Center of Digital Excellence and John
A. McAlonan Fund. Gold Stage Sponsors: Cummins Bridgeway Power, FirstMerit Foundation, The Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Company, John S. Knight Center, METRO, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation and The Welty Family Foundation.
Silver Project Sponsors: The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation, County of Summit, The Huntington National
Bank, The LeBron James Family Foundation, Labels & Letters, National City, Pat Catan's, Roetzel & Andress LPA,
The Sisler McFawn Foundation and Think Media Studios. Bronze Activity Sponsors: A. Schulman, Inc., Akron
Aeros, Apple Growth Partners & Summit Data Communications, Glenn R. and Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation,
Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund, Brouse McDowell, LPA, Cohen & Company, CPAs, ComDoc, County of Summit
ADM Board, CVS Caremark, Eliokem, GOJO Industries, Inc., Lockheed Martin, Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems,
Laura R. and Lucian Q. Moffitt Foundation, The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, The Murdough Foundation, R.C.
Musson & Katharine M. Musson Charitable Foundation, Ohio Department of Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services,
Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Foundation and Lloyd L. and Louise K. Smith Memorial Foundation. Special Friends:
The Maynard Family Foundation, Miller's Party Rental Center and Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition. Official Radio
Partner: WKDD. Media Partner: Western Reserve PBS.
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