Editorial

First Night promises to be a top-notch event

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

If you were lucky enough to take part in last year's First Night celebration in McCook, you know what a fun way it was to bring in the New Year.

If you were there, you've probably already purchased your First Night button (at Brown's Shoe Fit, El Puerto, First Central Bank, McCook Art Guild, the Keystone Business Center, Longnecker Jewelry, McCook National Bank, Sehnert's Bakery or the Sports Shoppe) and are ready to go.

If not, you should give it a try.

A schedule on page two today should give you an idea; the usual venues are there -- a night of juggling, magic and comedy at the Fox Theatre, beginning at 6 and lasting until midnight, but a number of local businesses will host entertainment as well.

Check them out for entertainment like music, comedy, caricature drawing, custom fingernail painting, dining and dancing. You can find something for everyone at Brown's Shoe Fit, the CarMel Salon, El Puerto, High Plains Model Railroad Club, the High Plains Museum, Keystone Business Center, Knights of Columbus Hall, Longnecker Jewelry, Madison's Cafe, McCook Art Guild, the Methodist Church, Totally Tea and Etiquette Too, and, if you're lucky enough to have purchased separate dinner show tickets, a Live at the Bieroc comedy show.

The McCook YMCA's second annual Resolution Run signs up at 4 p.m. and runs at 5 p.m. for the more ambitious revelers.

The evening's activities will culminate with fireworks and a ball drop downtown at midnight.

Congratulations to the McCook Young Leaders and all the other sponsors who have lined up what promises to be a great way to say goodbye to 2010.

Comments
View 2 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • There seems to be a pattern here.... while almost every other merchant on the bricks offers up free entertainment and refreshments in the name of New Year's opening day..... there is 1 merchant that chooses to charge extraordinary amounts for tickets to a show. Last year I had a wonderful time taking my children up and down the blocks. We didn't really partake in the activities so much as watch others, but it was great fun just the same. My children still talk about the jugglers at the Fox, a time that they won't soon forget.

    I was troubled however to learn that all the generosity that the merchant businesses showed to gather larger numbers Downtown, seemed to be capitalized on by a single merchant who's doors were closed to anyone not paying for the show. I guess I don't take issue with them having a profit making event so much as the fact that they didn't even offer so much as a cup of hot cider to the passing public without it costing.

    Again, profit is what makes the world go around.... To me however, to take advantage of the other merchants gracious generosity while they singularly make a profit, and from what I can tell a pretty good one at that, seems like a pretty self serving thing.

    I don't expect them to do that for free; I just wonder if a more affordable family event might seem a bit more in step with the theme on the bricks for First Night.

    In any case, my children and I intend to walk the bricks again this year, and during the course of 2011 we will also patronize those merchants that we became familiar with just as we did last year. We did however, loose a bit of respect for that single business resulting in a drastic reduction in our families patronage with them which is sad as they had been a family favorite until that event nearly 1 year ago.

    We were a big fan of all that Browns Shoe Fit did, we enjoyed the Fox presentations, the Model Rail Road display, and participated in the Y run/walk and so much more. We enjoyed all of the fellowship and social interaction in our own Downtown and wish to offer a big THANK YOU to everyone involved, those that organize the night, those merchants that partake selflessly, and those patrons that come out and make it special.

    Happy New Year! My resolution: Start finding the bright side of things... always.

    Nick Mercy

    -- Posted by Nick Mercy on Tue, Dec 28, 2010, at 7:20 PM
  • An OUTSTANDING event for the 2nd year in a row! WOW!

    -- Posted by youngneighbor on Fri, Jan 7, 2011, at 11:21 AM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: