Ring in 2012 with Highmark First Night

Pittsburghers can ring in the new year with tons to do at Highmark's First Night Pittsburgh event.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday with activities throughout Downtown Pittsburgh.

First Night is a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration focused on the arts. First Night is celebrated in more than 200 cities worldwide; the Pittsburgh festival is centered in the Cultural District and is a production of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

First Night Pittsburgh has something for everyone, from children’s activities and performances by nationally known musicians to local artists' installations and a fireworks finale.

Visitors can enjoy swing dancing, juggling, arts and crafts, ice carving, a magic show, the First Night parade and performances, including one by Rusted Root. 

There will be visits from mascots, including the Pittsburgh Pirates Parrot, Pittsburgh Steelers Steely McBeam and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Fiddlesticks. 

Equitable Gas and The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust teamed up for the second consecutive year to conduct a contest for southwestern Pennsylvania performers. This year’s winner, Katie Zemaitis, a seventh-grade student in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, won a $500 cash prize and will perform at the Benedum Center during Highmark First Night.

For a full schedule of events, performances and activities, visit www.firstnight.pgharts.org/fest_events.

To Attend

A Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2012 button grants all-access admission for $8 in advance or $10 the night of the event. Children ages 5 and younger attend for free. Buttons can be purchased at participating Giant Eagle locations, at the Theater Square box office at 655 Penn Ave. or by calling 412-456-6666.
 
Volunteering

Anyone wishing to be a volunteer to work at the event should contact Sara Eckelberry at sara.firstnight@gmail.com for specific information.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh volunteers receive an event button, a parking voucher, a volunteer kit with snacks and water and a raffle ticket. They also will be able to attend a volunteer thank-you party from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and watch the midnight fireworks indoors.

For more information or to sign up online, visit www.firstnightpgh.org/volunteer/volunteer-sign-up-form-2.