Are you someone who is community-oriented and loves to take charge?
You could be a perfect fit to take the lead with First Night Bradford 2018.
Area residents met on Monday night at the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce office to get a jumpstart on plans for the event that was canceled for 2016-17 due to a lack of funds. First Night Bradford is a community celebration of the new year through the arts with both local and regional talent.
“We tried to make pushes. Some were late” for First Night Bradford 2017, said First Night Bradford official Nick Burt.
Now the group is looking to put into place a new leadership dynamic, he said. The immediate need is appointing a chairperson, who would want lead the team. The chairperson is a large undertaking, indicated First Night Bradford official Don Martyna.
Officials are also looking to fill other roles on the First Night Bradford team.
“It’s a team effort, so it’s not just one person alone,” said First Night Bradford official Barb Pedersen.
Martyna said, “We have a good core here. But we’re looking for help. Maybe you know people who are interested in helping, too. That is one thing we don’t want to rule out.”
Also at the meeting, First Night Bradford official Megan Simms floated the idea of partnering with Open Arms Community Church of Bradford. The church’s Local Missions Team hosted a New Year’s Party — Kickstart 2017 — at the church in Foster Township, which drew 150 to 200 people and included several musical groups. The church’s outreach team is known for hosting outreaches each month in the Bradford area.
At least one of the First Night officials also indicated being interested in combining First Night Bradford and Kickstart into a single event.
An official with Open Arms said the team is open to the idea, and he said he would discuss the concept with other members of the outreach team.
Traditionally, First Night Bradford 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.
The meeting also involved officials stressing the importance of fundraising for First Night Bradford. They’re hoping to solicit more donations for the area’s largest businesses.
Currently, the organization has a little more than $4,000 in the bank at this point. Previously, Pedersen said that bringing in $18,000 to $20,000 or even $25,000 would help put on the event.
The First Night Bradford committee will meet next at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Chamber of Commerce office on Main Street in Bradford.
