PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Historical Society on Saturday will present the 10th annual edition of First Night, Port Townsend’s alcohol-free New Year’s Eve community celebration focusing on arts and heritage.
All activities take place in and around Port Townsend’s historic City Hall, 540 Water St., between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on New Years Eve.
By donation
Admission is by donation, suggested $5 per person or $10 per family. Passes are now available at the Jefferson Museum of Art & History in historic City Hall.
“First Night is for everyone. It has something for families, singles and couples of all ages,” said Chris Prescott, historical society president.
Among the attractions are:
• Musical performances.
• Call dancing.
• A hands-on history hunt.
• Birds of prey from Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue.
• Film shorts presented by the Port Townsend Film Festival.
• Children’s games and science projects conducted by the Port Townsend High School Interact Club.
• Storytelling and theatrical presentations by the Key City Public Theatre.
• A hands-on art project at the Jefferson Community School.
• Music at Elevated Ice Cream.
• Dancing at the Boiler Room.
At 9 p.m. in Port Townsend — which is midnight in New York —the town will get a head start on the rest of the West Coast and usher in 2017 with the raising of an illuminated anchor created by sculptor Thaddeus Jurczynski.
That will be followed by an explosion of fireworks provided by Dr. David Chuljian and launched from Memorial Field.
Proceeds will benefit historical society programs.
“We couldn’t do it without all of our partners,” said Bill Tennent, historical society executive director.
Partners
Those partners are Jefferson County Parks and Recreation, the city of Port Townsend, Port Townsend Police Department, Key City Public Theatre, Port Townsend Film Festival, Elevated Ice Cream, the Boiler Room, Interact, Jefferson Community School “and all of our wonderful artists, musicians and volunteers,” Tennent said.
“We encourage people to get their passes in advance to avoid the rush when the event starts.”
Here is a schedule of events at First Night, a community celebration on New Year’s Eve.
Historic City Hall, 540 Water St.
• 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. — Readings for Children, City Council chambers, Key City Public Theatre; Port Townsend Film Festival Shorts, Theatre Gallery; Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue, Courtroom Gallery; History Hunt, Fire Hall Gallery; Children’s Science Projects, Marshal’s Office, InterAct Club; Children’s Games, jail cells, InterAct Club.
Cotton Building, 607 Water St.
• 6 p.m to 7:15 p.m. — Music by Jet Sparks.
• 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. — PT Songlines Community Chorus Singalong.
Pope Marine Building, 603 Water St.
• 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. — Call dancing with Janolyn Keller.
Key City Playhouse, 419 Washington St.
• 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. — Theater readings and games.
Jefferson Community School, 280 Quincey St.
• 6 p.m. to 8:45 pm. — Hands-on art project with quilt pieces.
Elevated Ice Cream, 631 Water St.
• 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. — Live music.
Boiler Room, 711 Water St.
• 6:30 p.m.to 8:45 p.m. — Dance party.
Madison Street
• 8:45 p.m. — Celebrity master of ceremonies.
Memorial Field, 550 Washington St.
• 9 p.m — Anchor raising and fireworks.
