PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Historical Society’s director hopes the second annual First Night will be nothing but first rate.
The historical society-sponsored fundraising event fires up at 6 p.m. Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, and gets a jump on 2009, complete with a countdown and fireworks celebration timed with that of New York City at midnight EDT and 9 p.m. Pacific.
“We’ve got the perfect town for First Night. Everything is within two blocks,” said Bill Tennent, director of the Historical Society, which sponsors family-oriented, alcohol-free First Night.
While the Big Apple’s ball drops in the East at One Times Square, the historic maritime community of Port Townsend will raise an anchor crafted from bamboo by Port Townsend artist Thaddeus Jurczynski.
David Chuljian, a Port Townsend dentist and licensed pyrotechnic operator, will shoot off a volley of fireworks after the anchor is hoisted at Jefferson County Memorial Field on Washington Street.
Tennent explains that First Night celebrations have been around since the United States celebrated its bicentennial in 1976 in Boston.
Hundreds of communities, including Tacoma and Spokane, celebrate First Night.
As with last year’s inaugural Port Townsend happening, the festivities include live music and sing-along, hands-on art and history activities for kids of all ages and a “history hunt.”
Tennent said he and others at the historical society hope for another First Night with clear, calm and cool skies.
Historic City Hall’s lobby, 540 Water St., will be the site for buying First Night tickets and dropping off raffle tickets for the society fundraiser.
Across Water Street from City Hall, the Pope Marine Building is expected to hum with square dancing, line dancing, round dancing and folk dances.
Port Townsend High School’s Interact Club will run children’s games in the spooky jail, tucked away in the basement under old City Hall.
Key City Public Theatre has a program especially for kids at the Port Townsend Athletic Club, 229 Monroe St., and at the Key City Playhouse, 419 Washington St., where you can catch the “Best of PT Shorts.”
The Boiler Room, 711 Water St., will feature music and entertainment, and the Elevated Ice Cream parlor, 631 Water St., will provide face painting and live music.
Jefferson Community School, 280 Quincy St., will host arts and crafts activities for children.
“Even though there are a lot of things for children to do, it’s not necessarily just for children,” Tennent said.
Children of all ages can wander from venue to venue during the three-hour event at their own pace, he said.
People will be able to purchase warm beverages and goodies at the Key City performances.
Port Townsend New Year’s Eve First Night schedule of events:
* 6 p.m., pick up tickets, return raffle tickets at historic City Hall.
* 6 p.m.-7:15 p.m., Old Crusty Minstrel Sing-along, City Council chambers, historic City Hall.
* 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m., souvenir photos, $4, Hildt Room at City Hall.
* 7:30-9, History Hunt, Native American Hands-on Exhibit Trunk, Courtroom Gallery, City Hall.
* 6 p.m.-7:15 p.m., Larry Jones “Lap Steel Oldies, Fire Hall Gallery, City Hall.
* 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m., jazz guitarist Vinnie Johnson, Fire Hall Gallery.
* 7:30-9 p.m., Cup Cake Walk, Marshal’s Office.
* 7:30-9, children’s games, jail cells, City Hall.
* 7:30-9, dancing with caller Janolyn Gordon, Pope Marine Building.
* 7:30-9, Best of PT Shots, Key City Playhouse.
* 7:30-9, Native American Button blanket art project, natural art project, Jefferson Community School.
* 6-7:30 p.m., “Readings Especially for Younger Children,” Key City Public Theatre, Port Townsend Athletic Club.
* 6-7:30 p.m., face painting and live music, Elevated Ice Cream.
* 6-7:30 p.m., music at the Boiler Room.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
