Over a span of 18 years, First Night Bradford activities have provided family-friendly entertainment in the community on New Year’s Eve.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding and volunteers, this year’s First Night activities have been canceled, committee members have announced.
The cancellation marks only the third time in the event’s history in Bradford the show has had to be canceled since it was first celebrated New Year’s Eve of 1998-99.
Barb Pedersen, committee chairperson for First Night entertainment, said the decision to call off the event was difficult to make.
“The biggest reason was we didn’t have (adequate) money from donations,” Pedersen explained. “It wasn’t enough money to host any venues … and we couldn’t promise our performers that we could pay them.”
She said the committee will try to stage the event again next year, but will need to add more funds to the scant amount of seed money currently found in the First Night coffer.
“We’re looking for donations and would like some of the corporations to become sponsors,” she continued. “If we get some nice donations over the course of the year, we can count on planning a nice celebration for New Year’s Eve next year.”
In addition, the committee would welcome financial guidance or input on how to ensure adequate funding can be achieved each year for the celebration. Pedersen said the organization is also looking for people to serve on the committees next year.
“We need someone to take care of publicity and we need someone to help with entertainment,” Pedersen continued. “I do have other people on my committee, but some of the committees could use extra help.”
Also needed is help locating and booking venues for the event.
She said the organization didn’t have an event chairperson after Jim Tingley, whom she said did an excellent job directing last year’s event, had to step down this year because of other obligations. Pedersen said the other committee members stepped forward and tried to fulfill the work that needed done after Tingley left.
“We do need more committee members, so if anyone from the community or businesses want to become part of our team, we’re certainly game for them to come in,” she added.
“We’ll need to elect a new chairperson at the beginning of the year, and anybody who might be interested in serving on one of the committees.”
Pedersen said the event keeps committee members busy while having fun at the various events staged at venues around town. Activities are typically held at churches, the Bradford Area Public Library, the Bradford Family YMCA, Bradford Main Street Moviehouse, Callahan Ice Rink and Byllye Lanes bowling alley. The block party finale in Veterans Square, complete with vendors, DJ music and fireworks following a ball drop, is a favorite activity for many participants.
Ryan Walb, who headed up the First Night technical committee, echoed Pedersen’s comments.
“We’re just hoping we can get some more money raised for next year … we’ll give it our best shot,” he said. “Hopefully, if everything works out, we’ll be able to make it happen.”
