[Press Release] : First Night® Columbia New Year's Eve Celebration

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Columbia Parks and Recreation - (573) 874-7460

First Night® Columbia New Year's Eve Celebration

COLUMBIA, MO (December 23, 2008) - It’s Time for ’09! Celebrate New
Year’s Eve in 
The District & Stephens College Campus Dec. 31. The 5K Run/Walk begins
at 4 p.m. Stamper Commons Food Court and the YouZeum open at 5:30 p.m.
Other venues open at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment begins at 7 p.m. 

What does Cajun music, fireworks, Flamenco dancing, magic and dueling
pianos have in common? You will find all of that and more at First Night
Columbia! Ring in the New Year with family and friends at the
celebration that marks the passage of time through the arts! Revelers
can travel from one location to the next enjoying more than 60
performances, dancing, activities and art for all ages at 14 venues in
downtown Columbia and Stephens College. 

Young revelers can visit the "Create and Celebrate" art area and
participate in their own procession at 9:15 p.m. that leads to the
children’s finale featuring entertainment, a countdown and fireworks
display. Teen bands will perform at the Armory throughout the night. At
11:30 p.m., all ages will enjoy the People’s Procession that will lead
revelers to the finale at Courthouse Square with entertainment, a
countdown and spectacular fireworks at midnight (weather permitting). 

Admission buttons purchased prior to the event are $8 for those 8 years
and older and will be $10 at the door at specified locations only.
Buttons will be available Dec. 12 at the Columbia Parks and Recreation
office at #1 South 7th Street, the ARC, Streetside Records and Gerbes
Supermarkets. Call 874-7460 or visit the Web site at
http://firstnight.missouri.org for information. Stay overnight in
Columbia - go to www.visitcolumbiamo.com for hotel information.
Volunteers are needed and receive free admission. Call 874-7499 to
volunteer.

Shuttle & Parking - Columbia Transit busses will run a shuttle route
that winds through the First Night footprint from 6:30 p.m - 12:30 a.m.
>From 6:30 - 11 p.m., horsedrawn trolleys will stop at the columns on
Walnut. Parking garages are located at Sixth, Eighth, 10th and Cherry
and Eighth and Walnut. Streets around the courthouse will be closed
during fireworks displays. All venues are smoke and alcohol free.

Venue Locations
Armory Sports Center (Teen Venue) *, 
Boone County Government Center Courthouse Square (finales), 
Columbia Art League (7-10 p.m.), 
CyclExtreme (5K Run 4 p.m.), 
First Christian Church*, 
Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts*, 
Missouri United Methodist Church (Children’s Art (6-10), Music
Student Open Mic, & Auditorium) 
Stephens College Campus - Stamper Commons* (Food Court, Commons &
Lounge), Helis Communication Ctr Windsor Audit, LRW Kimball Ballroom 
The YouZeum* (5:30 - 8:30 p.m.). 
( * Indicates button sales locations the night of First Night.)

Volunteer Information
Volunteers are needed for First Night. Volunteers can help with sales,
usher, button checkers, and children’s art area. It takes
approximately 200 volunteers to produce First Night - so lend a hand for
a few hours and receive free admission to First Night. To volunteer call
874-7499.

Contact Information 
For general information, call Parks and Recreation at (573) 874-7460.
Director of Operations: Karen Ramey at 874-6397 or 573-214-2330 (home)
999-7430 (cell).
Director of Entertainment: Jane Accurso at 442-4683 (home) or
673-8477(cell).
Visit: http://firstnight.missouri.org 
Email: newyear at centurytel.net 

First Night Columbia is sponsored by the city of Columbia, Columbia
Convention and Visitor's Tourism Development Program, 101.5 KPLA & KFRU
1400 Radio, Columbia Daily Tribune, KOMU-TV8 & CW, Missouri Arts Council
(a state agency) and Stephens College.

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Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

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