Added to this year’s hometown crowd will be 60,000 teens at the Convention Center for a Southern Baptist youth rally during the New Year’s weekend. According to Simms, this event has had most downtown hotel rooms booked for months.
As a major event on the downtown calendar, First Night brings local, regional and national attention to downtown St. Louis. The festival offers several venues including: Christ Church, Central Library, Main Stage at Soldiers Memorial, entertainment tent at Pine, St. John Catholic Church and Centenary Methodist Church.
“All buildings involved are historic, which makes this celebration a beautiful part of St. Louis’ history,” Simms notes.
There are children’s activities or entertainment in the Library, each of the churches and the Soldiers Memorial. The First Night committees have arranged activities so there is a place for each member of the family in every location.
“Another aspect that is so rewarding about being involved in First Night is seeing how the event provides a great place for families of all generations to celebrate. Watching children, parents and grandparents getting on our buses and enjoying entertainment in various venues,” Sehr adds.
Though part of an international First Night organization, the St. Louis event has a uniquely local flavor reflecting the creativity, culture and diversity of the St. Louis region. The festival involves hundreds of local artists, musicians and performers, both professional and amateur, as well as outstanding national groups.
“This year we’re concentrated in an eight-block area and still more suitable for an expected larger crowd,” Simms explains. “We want to make it a real street festival or winter carnival. People can walk; it’s no more than a block from any venue.”
To accomplish this, certain downtown streets will be closed. Bi-State Development Agency will provide shuttle and MetroLink service throughout the evening free to those wearing their First Night Admission buttons. This includes bus service from many downtown parking areas. First Night-Saint Louis maps are available.
First Night is a total community event. From Bi-State to Washington University, the community is active in the event’s production. Performers come from many area schools and universities. St. Louis City and County Police join to patrol during the event and more than 500 area residents volunteer to host venues and man the First Night services such as information, lost and found, and first aid.
To support the event, First Night-Saint Louis secures funding from public, private and corporate sources. Over the years, support has come from the Regional Arts Commission, Missouri Arts Council, A&E, Downtown Taxing District, City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, as well as many corporations such as AAA, Missouri, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Boeing, Famous-Barr, CPI, Bank of America and Schnuck’s. Additional support comes from local non-profit organizations including the Rams Foundation and Christmas In St. Louis Foundation. Nationally, First Night has received funding from familiar consumer names such as Minute Maid, Wittnauer and Ragu. And finally, individuals contribute to the Friends of First Night and through sales of admission buttons.
