PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Historical Society plans to start off the new year with a bang during the 13th annual First Night community party.
The multi-part event will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, with the activities centered around the Jefferson Museum of Art & History at historic City Hall at the corner of Madison and Water streets.
Entrance to the festivities costs adults $8 in advance and $10 the night of; children and teens will be admitted free.
Activities include dancing, live music, karaoke, roller-skating parrots, fireworks and an illuminated anchor, event organizers said.
All the celebrations will culminate with the raising of the illuminated anchor created by local artist Thaddeus Jurczynski and a fireworks display choreographed by local pyrotechnist and dentist Dr. David Chuljian at 9 p.m. (midnight on the East Coast) at Memorial Field, located at 550 Washington St.
This year’s “celebrity” emcee will be Heron Scott, executive director of the Port School of Woodworking, organizers said.
Activities will be spread between the Cotton Building, the Pope Marine Building, Elevated Ice Cream, Jefferson Community School, Key City Public Theater, the Bishop Victorian Hotel Lobby and the Jefferson Museum of Art & History.
The museum from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. will host a variety of activities throughout the building.
In the City Council Chambers, Louie’s World will host karaoke for all ages until 7:45 p.m; in the Theater Gallery, the Port Townsend Film Festival will screen curated shorts; and the Ferguson Gallery will host an art display by Drew Elicker named “Touching Color.”
The jail cells and the marshal’s office will be the venue for the Port Townsend High School Interact Club, which will host hands-on science experiments for youth.
Participants in a “history hunt” in the Firehall will have the opportunity to win prizes. In the Women’s Jail will be a bicycle display and photo booth. The classroom will have kids face-painting and games.
In the Cotton Building at 607 Water St., from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. the “Parrot Lady,” Debbie Goodrich, will perform with roller-skating parrots, followed by the Port Townsend Songlines leading a singalong and then a procession to the fireworks display, organizers said.
Gypsy Coffee will provide warm drinks in the Pope Marine Plaza.
The Pope Marine Building at 100 Madison St., will be the venue for square dancing led by Janolyn Keller from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Elevated Ice Cream and the Bishop Victorian Hotel Lobby will have live music and drinks and snacks for purchase throughout the evening.
At Key City Public Theater, 419 Washington St., from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. will be performed “Ann-Margarita: On the Rocks,” an adults-only musical cabaret featuring Ann-Margarita, Karen Skrinde and Linda Dowdell on piano. The performance ticket is included with the First Night wristband and seating is first come, first served.
The Jefferson Community School at 280 Quincy St., will host bird crafts for children. The session will be led by former teacher Robin Ornelas from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. and all materials will be provided, organizers said.
Tickets for First Night can be purchased at online at jchsmuseum.org, over the phone at 360-385-1003, at the museum before the event and at the Pope Marine Plaza on Tuesday night.
The full schedule can be found online at http://jchsmuseum.org/NewsAndEvents/FirstNight.html.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com
