PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration First Night returns this year with a night of music, food and performances taking over the downtown area Sunday night.
First Night was first celebrated in Boston in 1975 as a family-friendly and less alcohol-focused New Year’s Eve event and the tradition has spread to cities nationwide.
In Port Townsend, the event was previously hosted by the Jefferson County Historical Society but since 2021 has been thrown by local production group the Production Alliance. The event is a self-guided tour of Port Townsend’s venues centered around City Hall with activities available for all ages.
While no one will be turned away from the event, the Alliance is asking for donations to participate in the celebration. The Alliance is asking for donations of $10 per person or $20 per family with children. Tickets for the Circus and Key City Public Theater events are sold separately.
“There’s quite a few new components,” said Danny Milholland, director of operations for the Alliance. “We’re taking over Madison Street this year, which will be closed for the duration of the event.”
For the first time, fire pits will be placed around the City Hall area on Madison Street between Washington and Water with stations for lantern making, face painting and food vendors.
General activities start at 3 p.m., with a performance from local musician Ave Avelino at 6 p.m., a lantern parade around the block with the Unexpected Brass Band at 7 p.m. and fire spinning at 7:45 p.m.
Also for the first time, an altar will be erected as a memorial to those experiencing devastation and war around the world.
“Community members will be invited to bring offerings to acknowledge our shared humanity,” Milholland said.
The Jefferson County Historical Society will host an activity where participants can write down New Year’s resolutions and seal them with a wish in a miniature bottle to be stoppered and checked next year to see if dreams for 2024 came true.
The Jefferson County Museum of Art & History, 540 Water St., will offer indoor activities from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
At 3 p.m. and again at 5 p.m., the American Legion Marvin G. Shields Memorial Post 26, 209 Monroe St., will host performances of the First Night Circus. The Key City Public Theater at 419 Washington St., will offer two performances of Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Presale tickets for the Circus are available online at firstnightpt.org.
Key City tickets are available online at https://keycitypublictheatre.org/great/
At 8 p.m. fireworks will be shot off from the Jefferson County Memorial Athletic Field.
“The best place to view the fireworks will be in Madison Street,” Milholland said.
Immediately following the fireworks, a “convergence” of local choirs will close the evening with singing.
Madison Street between Water and Washington Streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
More information on Port Townsend’s First Night is available at theproductionalliance.org.
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Reporter Peter Segall can be reached at peter.segall@peninsuladailynews.com.
