Original text from an earlier festival edition. Dates, performers, prices, addresses and application instructions below are historical; they do not describe the returning 2027 edition. Old forms and transaction controls are disabled. Read current information ↗
Release Date: Wednesday, January 8th 2014
Snow and Cold Doesn't Dampen New Year's Eve Celebration
First Night Akron attendance estimated at 14,000 revelers. Online survey available to collect audience feedback
Akron, Ohio - The 18th annual First Night® Akron brought approximately 14,000 people to Downtown Akron to enjoy New Year's Eve in a safe, clean and family-friendly environment. Initial attendance figures are estimated based on the clicker totals of the venues. Complete attendance figures will be available Jan. 3 after collection of sales information is complete.
Ten downtown sites were filled with more than 80 artists and groups showcasing music, dance, theater, and interactive and visual arts. Several new and engaging artists and activities made their debut, such as Shivering Timbers, Smokin' Fez Monkeys and Ohio Mobile Gaming video game trailer. Annual favorites like Hard Days Night and O'Hare School of Irish Dance returned to entertain revelers of all ages.
For the first time in a decade the Akron Art Museum opened all galleries to First Night attendees. For the second year a collaboration of community voices participated with the crowd as part of the countdown finale show at midnight. Long-time supporter METRO RTA provided bus shuttles keeping crowds warm while moving from venue to venue
Each year, First Night Akron conducts a survey to collect feedback from the audience and uses the suggestions for planning future events. The survey is available on www.downtownakron.com and www.firstnightakron.org. Those who complete the survey, and provide contact information, by 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3 are entered into a drawing to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Friday, Jan. 3 via First Night and Downtown Akron Partnership Facebook pages and websites.
The First Night Akron annual survey can be found here.
First Night Akron is a program of Downtown Akron Partnership. Founding partners are the city of Akron and the Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com.
Thank you to generous First Night partners:
Platinum: Acme Fresh Markets, Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com, Shaw Foundation Fund of Akron Community Foundation, city of Akron, county of Summit, FirstMerit Foundation, GAR Foundation and PNC Foundation. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program/organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Gold: C.L. Davis Jewelers, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, John S. Knight Center, METRO Regional Transit Authority and the University of Akron. Silver: Kenneth L. Calhoun, a KeyBank Trust, Labels & Letters, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation, Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation, Pat Catan's Craft Centers, Roetzel & Andress LPA, Sisler McFawn Foundation and the Welty Family Foundation. Bronze: A. Schulman, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, Cohen & Company, County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADM) Services Board, GOJO Industries, Inc., Huntington Bank, Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation, Moffitt Foundation, The Murdough Foundation, R.C. Musson & Katharine M. Musson Charitable Foundation, Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Memorial Foundation, Lloyd L. and Louis K. Smith Memorial Foundation and Step2. Special Friends: Akron Summit Community Action, Inc., Bakery at Hattie's Café, Box Creations, Coca-Cola, Glenn R. and Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation, The Maynard Family Foundation, Miller's Party Rental Center and Two Men and a Truck. Official Radio Partner: 98.1 WKDD.