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New year will begin with 'First Night'
Come One! Come All! Whoever you are and wherever you live, McCook's Young Leaders, formerly the McCook Youth League, invite you to join them in downtown McCook for Nebraska's first ever "First Night" celebration.
The gala event will take place New Year's Eve, with an entertaining variety of activities taking place in McCook's downtown business district between the hours of 7 p.m. and 12 a.m.
The highlight will come a millisecond after midnight when a ball will drop from a crane parked next to the Keystone Hotel, signaling the start of 2010. Fireworks and music will accompany the arrival of the new year.
"The event is for everyone," said Shane Hilker, president of McCook's Young Leaders. "It will be a no alcohol public festival, so everyone from newborns to centenarians are welcome."
Activities will be happening throughout the night at select downtown business locations, said Brett Neverve, McCook's Young Leaders vice president. "The celebration will start building to a crescendo at 11:45 p.m. when the entire gathering of people will join in a New Year's Procession from the McCook Art Guild to the Keystone Hotel."
The Make-Your-Own-Mask activity, hosted by the McCook Art Guild, is a fun activity for all ages. Best masks will be judged later in the evening, with prizes awarded before their owners display them in the promenade.
The ball will drop at the stroke of midnight amid a spectacular fireworks display, said Tony Roe, McCook's Young Leaders secretary. "Our group is looking forward to outstanding things happening in the McCook area in 2010, so we wanted to begin the New Year with a bang."
The McCook Youth League was established in the summer of 2008 with the encouragement of Sue Shaner, business coach of the McCook Economic Development Corp.
"We are dedicated to a revival of spirit, a time of transition and commitment to the future," said three of the McCook Young Leaders members, Kaden Trosper, Gabriel Jackson and Keith Griffiths. "The big goal, overriding all of this, is to help make McCook a place where young people can stay and build a future," they said.
First Night celebrations have been happening in America since the 1970s, when the idea for a no alcohol, public festival was first introduced in Boston, Mass. In the 30-plus years since then, the First Night idea has spread to 80 cities across America, as well as towns in Canada and New Zealand.
When the First Night celebration takes place on the downtown bricks on New Year's Eve, McCook will have the distinction of being the first Nebraska city to host a First Night festival.
"The emphasis is on local art, talent and entertainment, with all the activities taking place in the downtown district," Hilker said.
Many activities are under consideration to add excitement to the First Night festival. "There's talk of a street dance, strolling minstrels, hands-on activities for children, music of all genres from rock to sacred, a make-your-own-mask contest, the roasting of marshmallows and s'mores over an open fire, movies and magicians," said Neverve, who serves as an intern for the McCook Economic Development Corp.
As events are added to the schedule, they are posted on the event's web site at www.mccookne.org/firstnight.htm. There are also regular posts going on to the McCook, NE Facebook page.
One venue, consisting of sacred and classical music, will be held at the United Methodist Church. Those who would like to perform in this venue may contact Alice Harpst at 344-5303. If you have ideas or talents to add to the fun, you're encouraged to send e-mails to: mccooksyoungleaders@gmail.com.
You are also welcome to contact either Neverve or Shaner by phone, 345-1200, or by e-mail: brett@mccookne.org or sue@mccookne.org. Shaner can also be reached by cell phone at 340-2698.
"The youth of McCook are looking towards the future with optimism and hope," Hilker said. "We invite citizens of all ages to join us."
"Let's go forward with a huge night of celebration, Hilker said. "We invite you to join us in celebration: McCook's first First Night celebration will take place New Year's Eve, Thursday, December 31, 2009."