Galax Centennial, Galax, Virginia

First Night Galax @ Galax Centennial “Roll Out” Event

October 25, 2004

What better way to begin the Galax Centennial Year than to CELEBRATE! That is exactly what we are planning for the entire City, a special celebration on the First Night of the new year 2006. The night of December 31, 2005.

The idea of a First Night Celebration on New Years Eve was started more than 25 years ago in Boston, Massachusetts. As these slides illustrate, the concept of First Night has spread to more than 150 cities worldwide. Each locality puts on their own show highlighting the area’s local talent in the Performing Arts and the Visual Arts.

It is truly a Community Celebration as artists of every genre are invited to be a part this regional festival. The downtown area is decorated and the city becomes the showplace on the First Night of the New Year. The city is the central location for the Twin Counties and everyone is invited to participate.

First Night Galax will be a member city of First Night International. The celebration is an alcohol-free, public festival that marks the passage from the old year to the new year with art and festivity.

The four pillars of First Night are:

1. Community, where everyone, young and old, comes together to

2. Celebrate, a festive occasion on

3. New Years, the start of a new period through

4. The Arts, the talent that we have to offer.

But First Night will be more than one single night. There will be work sessions leading up to the grand event to prepare decorations for the city, rehearse talents and produce art works to make the occasion special.

You will hear a lot about Buttons. A First Night Button is your ticket to all of the events. Fifty to sixty events scattered among seven or eight performance venues throughout the city. You will not be able to see everything, but the variety of activities offered is sure to challenge you to pick your favorites. You will choose your own schedule for the evening and come and go as you choose.

And, yes it might be cold, so dress for the occasion. New Years only happens on New Years Eve. There is no rain date. It must happen on December 31, 2005, come rain, snow, cold or even perhaps a mild pleasant evening. Regardless of the weather, however, the majority of entertainment will be indoors. Most locations are within easy walking distance, but if you need transportation, there will be continuous free shuttle transportation around to all of the venues.

Community organizations will be invited to provide food and beverages at various venues, so you won’t go hungry. Come and have dinner with us that night.

There will be Children’s and Family programming, a diverse program of our community’s artists. Come and celebrate the diversity of our community. Allow the Visual and Performing artists to transform our city. Everyone is invited to celebrate in the various places the entire evening.

We will end the evening with a participatory procession through the streets of Galax and a grand Midnight Count-down and fireworks finale at Felts Park.

We invite the entire Twin County region to come and participate in First Night as much as you choose. If you are content to sit back and be entertained, that’s OK. If you want to join in the activities and be a part of it, that’s even better. This is your celebration of the First Night of the New Year and it is your way of starting the City’s Centennial Celebration.

If you would like to be a part of the first, First Night Galax celebration, please contact us via email to first.night.galax@earthlink.net or you may call 276-238-1691 for additional information.

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Home More on Galax Historic Pictures City History Galax Facts More on the Celebration Schedule of Events Steering Team Mission & Goals Logo Usage Press Releases For Tourists Chamber of Commerce Lodging/Dining Map & Directions For Residents Ways to Participate Sanction Your Group Get Announcements Via Email Your Name: Your E-Mail:		First Night Galax @ Galax Centennial “Roll Out” Event October 25, 2004 What better way to begin the Galax Centennial Year than to CELEBRATE! That is exactly what we are planning for the entire City, a special celebration on the First Night of the new year 2006. The night of December 31, 2005. The idea of a First Night Celebration on New Years Eve was started more than 25 years ago in Boston, Massachusetts. As these slides illustrate, the concept of First Night has spread to more than 150 cities worldwide. Each locality puts on their own show highlighting the area’s local talent in the Performing Arts and the Visual Arts. It is truly a Community Celebration as artists of every genre are invited to be a part this regional festival. The downtown area is decorated and the city becomes the showplace on the First Night of the New Year. The city is the central location for the Twin Counties and everyone is invited to participate. First Night Galax will be a member city of First Night International. The celebration is an alcohol-free, public festival that marks the passage from the old year to the new year with art and festivity. The four pillars of First Night are: 1. Community, where everyone, young and old, comes together to 2. Celebrate, a festive occasion on 3. New Years, the start of a new period through 4. The Arts, the talent that we have to offer. But First Night will be more than one single night. There will be work sessions leading up to the grand event to prepare decorations for the city, rehearse talents and produce art works to make the occasion special. You will hear a lot about Buttons. A First Night Button is your ticket to all of the events. Fifty to sixty events scattered among seven or eight performance venues throughout the city. You will not be able to see everything, but the variety of activities offered is sure to challenge you to pick your favorites. You will choose your own schedule for the evening and come and go as you choose. And, yes it might be cold, so dress for the occasion. New Years only happens on New Years Eve. There is no rain date. It must happen on December 31, 2005, come rain, snow, cold or even perhaps a mild pleasant evening. Regardless of the weather, however, the majority of entertainment will be indoors. Most locations are within easy walking distance, but if you need transportation, there will be continuous free shuttle transportation around to all of the venues. Community organizations will be invited to provide food and beverages at various venues, so you won’t go hungry. Come and have dinner with us that night. There will be Children’s and Family programming, a diverse program of our community’s artists. Come and celebrate the diversity of our community. Allow the Visual and Performing artists to transform our city. Everyone is invited to celebrate in the various places the entire evening. We will end the evening with a participatory procession through the streets of Galax and a grand Midnight Count-down and fireworks finale at Felts Park. We invite the entire Twin County region to come and participate in First Night as much as you choose. If you are content to sit back and be entertained, that’s OK. If you want to join in the activities and be a part of it, that’s even better. This is your celebration of the First Night of the New Year and it is your way of starting the City’s Centennial Celebration. If you would like to be a part of the first, First Night Galax celebration, please contact us via email to first.night.galax@earthlink.net or you may call 276-238-1691 for additional information.