Midnight Fireworks Scrapped at First Night

Revelry will still be a part of the 13th annual First Night celebration here on New Year's Eve but it may be just a little bit quieter when the clock strikes midnight.

That's because officials scrapped the midnight fireworks display this year. There will still be a countdown and booms, bangs and "aahs" at a 9 p.m. fireworks display at the borough's family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration. But at midnight, a DJ and a countdown will officially bring in 2011.

Officials said the midnight fireworks display traditionally has not drawn as many people as the 9 p.m. display, and budget considerations weighed into a decision to drop it.

"It's hard to keep a public festival going in this economy," said Maureen Eyles, executive director of First Night Haddonfield. "A lot of other entertainment festivals have closed its doors recently. Fortunately, we've been able to keep this going. We're expecting 5,000 people to attend."

Eyles says this year's celebration is still one of the best ever, chock-full of performers along a nearly mile-long stretch on Kings Highway from the First Presbyterian Church to Haddonfield Memorial High School. The cost to attend nearly 60 scheduled performances in venues along the route is $12 before Dec. 24 and $15 after. The fees are used to offset the cost of the event. Tticket buttons can be purchased at the Haddonfield Information Center at 2 Kings Court and online at firstnighthaddonfield.org.

 First Night helps promote local business and provides a family-friendly alternative to ring in the new year.

"People are amazed to see so many different performances at one admission price," Eyles said. "We have something for everyone."

Scheduled activities include a KidsZone play area for children 7 years and younger at the Central School on Lincoln Avenue, a teen dance at Presbyterian Church, which can be attended without a First Night admission button with a $5 charge at the door, and humorist Michel Lauziere, who will enter the stage at the high school in a huge bubble.