First Night Montgomery Set for Fairgrounds on New Year's Eve

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Contact: Bonnie Ayers, PIO, 240-777-6530; pager 301-215-1363;
Sue Tucker, PIO, 240-777-6530; pager, 301-224-6325;
Bill Ryder, Recreation Dept., 240-777-6823

For Immediate Release: December 12, 2000

First Night Montgomery
Set for Fairgrounds on New Year's Eve

First Night Montgomery 2001, the County's alcohol-free New Year's Eve Celebration of the Arts, will be held at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg on December 31, beginning with children's activities from 3 to 6 p.m. and evening festivities beginning at 7 p.m. Laser and fireworks shows will be held at 6 p.m. and midnight.

Information on various segments of the event is highlighted in the following list:

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to work two- to three-hour shifts - from 3 p.m. to midnight -- performing duties such as selling admission buttons, providing information to the public, hosting entertainment venues, assisting with children's activities and staffing the Hospitality Center.

Each volunteer will work in an indoor, heated setting and have access to the Hospitality Center for free refreshments. In addition, volunteers will receive a free First Night admission button and a limited edition souvenir designed exclusively for volunteers.

For more information, call the First Night Montgomery Volunteer Hotline at 301-565-7599.

Admission button sales

Admission for the evening shows (7 p.m. to midnight) is by a First Night button which costs $10; children 10 and under are admitted free. Buttons are on sale at all Montgomery County public libraries, recreation centers, regional services centers, and in Gaithersburg at City Hall and the city's recreation center. Buttons will also be sold at the Fairgrounds on New Year's Eve.

Transportation

Free, on-site parking is available at the Fairgrounds, located at Rt. 355 and Perry Parkway.

Free shuttles will run continuously from the Shady Grove Metro to the Fairgrounds starting at 2:30 p.m. (Metro will run until 2 a.m.)

Entertainment

Children's activities will feature the Irish Breakfast Band (participatory Irish singing and dancing); Anansegromma (African storyteller, music/dance); Ron Johnson (magic); Dinorock (puppets); Red War Ponies (Native American music/dance); and Polynesian dancers and musicians.

There will be a First Night Fun House, with smoke, mirrors and laser lights, and arts and crafts. The children's activities will conclude at 6 p.m. with a laser show and fireworks. Admission is free.

Evening attractions this year include The Fabulous Hubcaps (oldies); The Seldom Scene (bluegrass); The Nighthawks (rock 'n roll/rhythm 'n blues); Grupo Latino Continental (Latin); Tom Principato (blues); Taylor Mason (comedy); the Pan Masters (Caribbean); and Ron Johnson (magic).

Other entertainers are Moonfire (Irish music/dance); Joseph Stands with Many (Native American storytelling/dance); J Street Jumpers (swing); WPG Trio (jazz); Dinorock (puppets); the Umoja String Quartet (classical) and Body and Soul (variety).

Local high school bands will perform in the Teen Showcase, and the First NighT Fun House will feature mirrors, lights and smoke. Ice sculptor Rick Chaney of On the Rocks will craft artistic ice forms.

The evening events will conclude with a laser show and fireworks at midnight.

Food

Food vendors will be located on site, in addition to a heated dining room.

Sponsors

First Night Montgomery 2001 is produced by the non-profit First Night Montgomery, Inc., with support from numerous community sponsors, including Montgomery County Government, City of Gaithersburg, Silver Spring Urban District, Comcast, GEICO, Marriott International, Chevy Chase Bank, Ogden Martin and the Montgomery County Agricultural Center. Channel 9 Eyewitness News is the official media sponsor.

For more information about First Night Montgomery 2001, call 240-777-6821.

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