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: Friday, December 19th 2014
Volunteer opportunities remain for First Night Akron 2015
Lend a hand at this 19th annual community event
It's not too late to volunteer for First Night Akron this New Year's Eve. Approximately 50 openings remain for bus tour guides, emcees, helpers at activity stations and tracking attendance at venues on Dec. 31 in Downtown Akron.
Volunteers are admitted free to all performances and sites before or after their shift. Friends, families, couples and groups are encouraged to volunteer together. Volunteers receive a special volunteer lanyard to wear at the event, a complimentary button and an invitation to the annual volunteer party on Jan. 13.
Online applications are available at www.firstnightakron.org/volunteers or by contacting Jane Startzman at 330-535-3179 x 203. Two shifts are available: 5:30-9 p.m. and 8:30-11:30 p.m. There is greater need for volunteers during the second shift. Two remaining orientation sessions are scheduled for Monday, Dec. 22 from 6:30-8 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 29 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Main Library in Downtown Akron. Volunteers are required to attend one session.
About First Night Akron
Now in its 19th year, First Night Akron is a family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration of the arts that brings the community together. Experience a diverse display of music, dance, theater and visual and interactive arts throughout Downtown Akron on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Admission buttons allow access to all First Night venues, entertainment, activities and free Metro bus rides to each location. Buttons are $10 and children under 10 are free with a button-wearing adult. Buttons are on sale now at Acme Fresh Market, participating FirstMerit Bank branches, Akron Civic Theatre box office (across the street from the Civic on the first floor of the Ohio Building), Akron Civic Theatre gift shop (during shows at the Civic), Angel Falls Coffee in Highland Square, The Library Shop on Main and Lock 3. Buttons may also be purchased at the DAP office in Greystone Hall (103 S. High St, 4th floor) or at www.firstnightakron.org.
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 our generous First Night Partners:
Platinum: Acme Fresh Market, Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.Com, Charles C. and Dorathea S. Dilley 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: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, John S. Knight Center, METRO Regional Transit Authority, Time Warner Cable and The University of Akron. Silver: 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; GOJO Industries, Inc.; Huntington Bank; Kenneth L. Calhoun Charitable Trust KeyBank, Trustee; Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation; Moffitt Foundation; The Murdough Foundation; R.C. Musson & Katharine M. Musson Charitable Foundation; Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Foundation; Lloyd L. and Louis K. Smith Memorial Foundation and Step2. Special Friends: Akron Summit Community Action, Inc., Box Creations, Glenn R. and Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation, Coca-Cola, The Maynard Family Foundation and Miller's Party Rental Center. Official Radio Partner: 98.1 WKDD.