State College’s New Year’s Eve tradition is set to return this week to help the Centre Region celebrate the start of a new year.
First Night State College will return to the borough on Saturday, Dec. 31. Since 1994, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts-led production has featured live music, performances, ice sculptures, workshops and more holiday-themed activities.
Here’s a look at what’s in store for First Night State College.
FIRST NIGHT BUTTONS
As in years past, First Night State College buttons provide general admission to the festival’s workshops and indoor performances on a first-come, first-serve basis.
First Night buttons cost $10 each. Children 12 and under receive free admission alongside a button-wearing adult.
Buttons are no longer available for purchase online, according to First Night’s event page. They are, however, available at retail outlets in Centre County, documented on the map below. Buttons will also be available at First Night performance and information sites on New Year’s Eve.
GRAND PROCESSION
First Night State College’s Grand Procession steps off at 6:30 p.m. to kick off the festival’s nighttime entertainment. Unlike a parade, the procession invites community members to join by carrying a giant paper-mâché puppet. Local drummers are invited to join by bringing their own percussion instruments or using one of several African drums on hand.
Those who wish to join the procession must meet in the Education Building at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 208 W. Foster. Ave., no later than 6 p.m.
CARRIAGE RIDES
Percheron draft horses will pull two carriages throughout downtown State College from 7 to 10 p.m. Rides, available starting at Mayor Welch Plaza outside the State College Municipal Building, require a First Night button and a separate $5 fee. Rides are in high demand, and not all will be accommodated, organizers say.
ICE SCULPTURES
Over on South Allen Street, First Night ice sculptors will carve more than 100 blocks of ice weighing over 10 tons. Displays will include large sculptures, in addition to the ever-popular ice slide and ice piggy bank. It’ll all be on display until 6 p.m. on New Year’s Day — unless sculptures melt before then.
Displays will be scattered among Sidney Friedman Park, Mayor Welch Plaza and the storefronts of several businesses in downtown State College. A full ice sculpture map is available online.
5K RESOLUTION RUN
First Night’s annual run will help contestants speed into the new year. The 5K Resolution Run, hosted in partnership with the Nittany Valley Running Club, starts and finishes on College Avenue. Both runners and fast walkers are encouraged to wear costumes throughout the race.
Registration for the 5K is available online and in person from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30 and from 4 to 6 p.m. on race day at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Registration costs $28. Those ages 19 and under can register for $15 before the race and for $18 on New Year’s Eve.
For more information, visit the 5K’s event page online.
REINDEER
Two reindeer from Spruce Run Farm in Bloomsburg will be available for meet-and-greets from 4 to 8 p.m. at Sidney Friedman Park.
NO ICE SKATING
Although ice skating is traditionally a beloved component of First Night’s entertainment lineup, scheduling conflicts will prevent guests from hitting the rink on New Year’s Eve. Penn State men’s hockey is set to host RIT at Pegula Ice Arena at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, leaving the rink unavailable for First Night.
OUT WITH THE OLD…
A themed collection of sculptures and interactive art exhibits will help guests ring in the new year. A full list of local art displays, including their locations throughout State College, is available online.
WORKSHOPS
Following tradition, First Night will host several workshops to help community members get their creative juices flowing. This year’s offerings include a songwriting workshop, belly dancing classes and hands-on art demonstrations.
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., 2000 Degrees at 202 W. College Ave. will invite guests to craft ceramic mugs that will immortalize their new year’s resolutions — providing a lasting reminder of their upcoming goals. Admission for the workshop costs $7 on top of the cost of a First Night button.
A full schedule of this year’s workshops is available online.
PERFORMANCES
Local performers and musicians will take the stage throughout First Night’s festival. A full schedule of upcoming performances is available online.
The State College Area High School Thespians will perform at the State College Municipal Building at 1 and 3 p.m. The performance, slated as a “royal New Year’s Eve ball,” will feature princes and princesses, as well as other guests, for a musical story.
Middle-earth Studios’ interactive production of “The Pirates of Buccaneer Isle” will begin at 2 and 4 p.m. at the State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Ave.
Happy Valley Improv will perform at its new Blue Brick Theatre, 209 W. Calder Way, at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
The Fraser Street Saxes, an all-saxophone band comprised of local 8th through 12th graders, will perform at 1:30 p.m. at University Baptist & Brethren Church. Later, the State College Area High School jazz band is slated for a 2:30 p.m. set at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
Black Cat Belly Dance is back at First Night with a 3:30 p.m. performance at University Baptist & Brethren Church. The dance school will also host a belly dance workshop at 3 Dots Downtown at noon.
Michael Rosman, a veteran circus performer, will bring his comedic juggling and unicycling act to the State Theatre at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.
3 Dots Downtown will host a singer-songwriter showcase starting at 4 p.m. that aims to highlight local artists, who will each perform 20-minute sets.
Comedian and “motivational humorist” Robert Mac will perform at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center, 146 S. Allen St., at 4:30, 7 and 9 p.m.
First Night Trivia, the festival’s annual quiz show, returns at 7 p.m. inside 3 Dots Downtown. Hosted by local trivia whizs John Briggs and Karen Bettleyon, the show will test guests’ knowledge and offer up prizes to winners.
The Keystone Big Band will help round out the night’s entertainment with an 8 p.m. concert at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. The 18-member big band will play music from the 1930s to 1950s.
Hosting the final concert of the night, the Gill Street Band will perform at 10 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. There, the nine-piece group will play a mix of classic funk, soul and R&B tunes with the help of frontwoman Joy Marie.
