First Night: New Year's Eve Haddonfield Style

Haddonfield's annual, alcohol-free, town-wide New Year's Eve celebration is just around the corner. As 2011 draws to a close, the borough is ringing in the new with a variety of entertainers to delight audiences of all ages.

The performance schedule is rich and varied. Headliners include musician Tommy Cash, younger brother of the late, famous country star and a talented musician in his own right; Canadian Celtic rock act Searson; acrobatic physical comedy troupe Galumpha; and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, whose check will be hidden in the audience--and which he will forfeit if he doesn't find it. These acts are supported by a variety of other performers, storytellers, musicians, and entertainers, all stationed throughout the borough downtown. A complete list is available on the First Night web page.

"All in all, we have 50 performances in 20 venues all across town," said Maureen Eyles, Executive Director for First Night Haddonfield. "The button gives you admission to all of them, and you don't have to reserve in advance which act you want to see. We just recommend that if there's someone in particular you want to see that you get there about 30 minutes early."

First Night was begun in 1976 by a group of artists in Boston who franchised the name, which Haddonfield bought into 14 years ago. Participating in the celebration implies certain obligations, "like the covenant that you aren't going to serve alcohol at the event," said Eyles.

Her favorite aspect of First Night is "the fact that it's kind of counter-programmed New Year's Eves, which is not traditionally known as a family holiday.

"It's a multi-generational tradition for many families, and it's good, wholesome fun," Eyles said.

Activities for children aged seven and younger will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Kid Zone exhibit at the Central and Middle schools. The attractions include a magician, comedian, rock band, storyteller, and puppet show. At 9 p.m., the borough will put on a fireworks display and a New Year's countdown for children; the more adult-friendly acts begin after 9 p.m..

First Night buttons guarantee admission to the festivities and are sold at at a variety of locations around town for $15.

For those interested in pitching in with the event, First Night is still seeking volunteers, who will receive guaranteed admission to the festivities as compensation.