First Night Bradford, a spectacular arts and performance event, takes place throughout the downtown area of Bradford on New Year’s Eve with a crescendo of fireworks and live music on Festival Way at the stroke of midnight as the gazebo drops.

All of the night’s events are included with the price of the admission button. Each guest must have a button to attend, which are $6 per person for those older than 6, and are needed to attend activities and shows. First Night Bradford buttons are available at the Foster Brook and Main Street locations of Northwest Bank, Tops, WESB/WBRR, and the offices of the Chamber of Commerce or Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center. Each venue will also have buttons for sale. Children under age 6 are admitted free.

The day begins with First Night Firsts at 11 a.m. at the Bradford Area Public Library where families are invited to “ring in the new year” during a special Alice in Wonderland event followed by Marty’s Bubble Gum Machine. There will be great music, silly games and plenty of bubbles. And at noon, the library will host a balloon drop with New Year’s hats and treats.

From 1 to 3 p.m., visits with Percy and Pals will be part of the experience, though the location has yet to be determined. First Bowl at Byllye Lanes is from 1 to 4 p.m. Your button includes one free game but shoe rental is an additional $1.50. First Skate at the Callahan Ice Rink runs from 1 to 5 p.m. and is free for all with a button. Skate rental is an additional charge. And don’t forget to catch the First Night Movie, “The Son of Bigfoot,” sponsored by Kathy Obermeyer of ERA Team VP Real Estate, at the Main Street Moviehouse.

Enjoy horse and carriage rides through the downtown area, sponsored by Obermeyer and Hennard Construction from 6 to 8 p.m. Rides begin and end at 45 Main St.

Looking for some classic rock from the 50s-70s, check out Kevin Abbott and Grant Orris at the Father Leo Gallina Social Hall from 6-6:50 p.m. and again from 8-8:50. The two have been performing together for more than 30 years. Between their performances will be the First Night Variety Show at 7 to 7:50 and again from 9 to 9:50, with Skyler Schapp, Dwain Graham, Sarah Schapp, Austin Schapp, Jeremy Fuller, Emily Gordon, Joe Fitz, and Barb Pedersen each entertaining the audience in their own special way.

Performing at B-Free Church from 10-10:50 p.m. is Jeremy Fuller with Through the Decades, an upbeat hit-packed set that takes you through the rock era, done in the dynamic style only he can pull off, with an original song or two mixed in. Other performances at B-Free include Conner Brien & Noah Evers from 6-6:50 and 9-9:50, Denise & Pat Drummond from 7-7:50, and Lyndsey Niegowski from 8-8:50. The Drummonds, a mother/daughter duo from Bradford have been singing together for many years, and will perform a variety of favorites from folk, old country, gospel, and some originals.

The Wada Ensemble, a classically trained family quartet consisting of Karino Wada and Yuki Wada on violins, Rintaro Wada playing cello, and Ritsuko Wada on piano, returns to First Night Bradford. The children, Karino and Yuki, are currently university students. Catch them at the First United Methodist Church from 7-7:50 and again from 9-9:50. Also at this venue will be Rick Nelson from 6-6:50 and the BAHS Chorale from 8-8:50.

Looking for some dancers? Performances by the Queen B’s of Studio B Dance Academy will be at St. Bernard Auditorium from 6-6:50 and from 8-8:50. These dancers plan to take the audience back to the 90s with hits such as “Vogue,” “Gettin Jiggy With It,” and “It’s Tearin’ Up My Heart” as well as some highlights from their upcoming performance in Universal Studios Orlando, as the troupe celebrates their 10th season. At the same venue, from 7-7:50 and from 9-9:50 the SDC Super Stars performance team from Starlit Dance Connection is set to perform a jazz routine to “Golden” by Harry Styles.

The Rock N Roll Pet Store Kids Show which features original music, funny puppets, magic, and live friendly animals that magically appear to fill up the Rock N Roll Pet Store will be at the Hill Memorial Social Hall from 6-6:50, 8-8:50, and 10-10:50. Bwana Jim will take the stage from 7-7:50 and 9-9:50.

Fair to Fiddlin’ will play at the First Presbyterian Social Hall from 6-6:50 and from 8-8:50; and from 7-7:50 and 9-9:50, comedian, puppeteer and illusionist Dennis Regling will perform.

At the Grace Lutheran Community Life Center, three performances by Mike Lee Comedy & Hypnotist will take place, 6-6:50, 8-8:50, and 10-10:50. Songs of Sixpence, Celtic and British acoustic musicians, perform from 7-7:50 and 9-9:50.

The Twin Tiers Community Band will play from 6-8 followed by GrooVe: Jim Ronan & Dana Jared from 9-10:50 at the Marilyn Horne Ballroom on the fifth floor.

The live entertainment continues on Festival Way featuring Marshmellow Overcoat performing at the block party. The traditional gazebo drop, coordinated by Kessel Construction and Westerburg Landscaping, will take place at midnight.

As revelers enjoy the first moments of the new year, fireworks will light up the sky. The party ends at 12:30 a.m.