Although the new year has just begun, volunteers are already being sought to help organize First Night 2018 in Bradford.
The family oriented event that features entertainment and activities was shuttered in 2016 due to a lack of funds and volunteers, and officials are hoping to ring in 2018 with First Night Bradford.
A reorganization meeting for the committee is being planned for 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce office on Main Street.
The New Year’s Eve event is a community celebration of the new year through the arts with both local and regional talent. Traditionally, activities take place at churches, the Bradford Area Public Library, Bradford Family YMCA, Bradford Main Street Movie House, Callahan Park ice rink and Byllye Lanes. A block party finale also is held at Veterans Square downtown, complete with vendors, DJ music and fireworks following a gazebo drop.
“Many people are involved in organizing and putting together First Night,” said Barb Pedersen, who is the committee chairperson for First Night entertainment. “We need someone to be chairperson of the event. This person makes sure everything is organized such as venues, fireworks, advertising, entertainment, donations, etc. Then we need team leaders for each team.”
The chairperson would be in charge of taking care of the meetings, developing a timeline in putting together First Night, among other duties, she said. The person should also be organized, Pedersen said.
All told, she figures 10 to 12 team leaders would be needed, then volunteers for each team and others to be needed for other areas of the event.
Pedersen said officials want to see more participation with First Night, including from businesses and individuals.
“We’d love to have people join. I’m looking forward to putting on another great celebration,” she said.
Pedersen said the committee would like to provide local entertainment, but national as well.
The committee will also be fundraising in the coming months. Bringing in $18,000 to $20,000 or even $25,000 would help put on the event, she said. The money would go toward the fireworks, entertainment, special police and more, Pedersen said.
First Night Bradford has only been canceled three times since its first celebration of New Year’s, 1998-99. The absence of adequate donations largely prompted the cancelation of the event for 2016-17, she said. Officials didn’t have enough money to host any venues, and they couldn’t promise performers would be paid, Pedersen told The Era previously.
In place of First Night 2017, Open Arms Community Church hosted Kickstart 2017, which included several performers, food, children’s activities and door prizes. The church also hosted a similar event in 2014.
