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, November 13th 2015
Volunteers opportunities available for 20th annual First Night Akron
Individuals and groups serve as greeters, emcees, tour guides and more at this annual community event
Volunteer applications are now being accepted for First Night Akron 2016 on New Year’s Eve. Volunteers are a critical part of this annual the celebration that rings in the new year and showcases arts and entertainment to the community.
More than 400 people are needed to greet guests, check admission buttons, introduce performers, assist with hands-on activities, track attendance and serve as bus hosts. The 20th annual event is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015.
Volunteers are admitted free to all performances and sites before or after a shift. Two shifts are available; 5:30-9 p.m. and 8:30-11:30 p.m. Volunteers may also work the entire evening. Friends, families, couples and groups are encouraged to volunteer together.
Training sessions are held Dec. 7-28, 2015 at the Akron-Summit County Public Library main branch and Ellet branches. Morning, evening and weekend sessions are available with each session lasting approximately 90 minutes. First time and return volunteers are required to attend one session to learn event updates and new information.
Applications and complete details are at www.firstnightakron.org/volunteers or contact volunteer coordinator, Tiffany Schmidt at 330-535-3179 x 211 or [email protected].
About First Night Akron
Now in its 20th year, First Night Akron is a family-friendly 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 Thursday, Dec. 31.
Admission buttons allow access to all 10 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 starting Nov. 27 at Acme Fresh Market, participating FirstMerit Bank branches, Akron Art Museum, 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, blue: A Goodwill boutique, The Library Shop at Main and Lock 3. Buttons may also be purchased at the DAP office in Greystone Hall (103 S. High St, 4th floor) and online 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, Akron Community Foundation, city of Akron, county of Summit, FirstMerit Bank, 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: FirstEnergy, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, John S. Knight Center and METRO Regional Transit Authority.
Silver: Labels & Letters, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation, Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation, Pat Catan's Craft Centers, Pritt Entertainment Group, 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; Northeast Ohio Parent; Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Foundation; Lloyd L. and Louis K. Smith Memorial Foundation.
Special Friends: Akron Summit Community Action, Inc., 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