Bloglanta

If you’re under 21 and like New Years, you’ve got to hate Atlanta.

Why?  We don’t have a First Night, and there are very few alternatives for young people.  In fact, there is only one First Night in all of Georgia and it’s in Gainesville!  Atlanta used to have a great annual event in Midtown.  When Executive Director John Briggs left, the whole thing fell apart.

Why does it matter?  Because First Nights do a lot of great things and young people need to be considered in community planning!

First Night rests on the notion that New Years is an opportunity for all people in a community to celebrate together through participation in art.  Artistic expression harnesses and heightens our joy and appreciation of one another.  That’s worth celebrating.  In making the event alcohol free, a situation is created that is safe for young people but fun for young and older alike.

Here’s how it works:  A city or neighborhood works together to provide several venues and artistic opportunities.  Local artists, singers, face painters, clowns, comedians shops, restaurants, civic buildings, and religious groups get together.  A performance schedule is worked out, sponsors are located, and then buttons are made.  Cities charge no more than $15 for a button.  If you have one, you can get into any first night event for free.  Most events start on the hour or the half and last no more than 50 minutes.  Events run until 11:30 at which point everyone gathers in a central location for Fireworks.  If your community starts its events at 6 or 7, the chances are that you can see 4 different performances.

Who benefits?  Everyone!  Whether your family attends or not, First Nights derive significant externalities for their community.  Why?  Because First Night reduces crime!  Fewer people are drinking so there is less mayhem and there are fewer drunk drivers.  Communities also are strengthened because people who previously have not been exposed the city’s cultural attractions are made aware of them and are more likely to return during the year.

Finally, young people are given a chance to have fun and the chance to see adults having fun without alcohol.  Yes.  Beer, wine, and single malt scotch are all good in moderation.  Yes.  Taverns are an important and vital part of civic life, but young people are so often bombarded with messages telling them that fun and alcohol are the same that the chance to present an alternative is invaluable.  Through events such as First Night, young folks are given the chance to have fun via the arts and civic participation.  The city is strengthened both directly through their participation and indirectly through what they’re not doing instead.

Atlanta is not alone in its lack of First Night.  Several large cities no longer put on the event.  Further, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana no longer have any celebration in the state.  It’s a pity.  All those young people and families crammed into their houses when they could be celebrating their town and each other.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 30th, 2004 at 9:41 pm and is filed under Venues and Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.