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Hippo Manchester
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COVER STORY: A third First Night? Not likely, downtown supporter says By Will Stewart wstewart@hippopress.com In theory, many thought a First Night celebration in Manchester was a great idea. But then reality set in. That reality was the New Hampshire winter. And it was cold. Damn cold. “Each of the two nights it was below zero ... with the wind on Elm Street, it was so bitter, bitter cold,” Intown Manchester executive director Stephanie Lewry said. Begun in Boston in 1976 as alcohol-free alternative to traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations, First Night, according to the international organization’s Web site, “to revive the “ancient traditions of marking the passage of time in a present day context.” The celebration has since spread to nearly 200 communities across the U.S., Canada, Britain and New Zealand. New Hampshire cities with First Night celebrations currently include Portsmouth and Wolfeboro. In addition to ringing in the New Year with a party-like atmosphere, the First Night experience is to strengthen a sense of community in participating cities as well as to celebrate the arts. First Night Manchester events were held on New Year’s Eve around 1989 and 1990 — exact dates could not be confirmed — by a private group affiliated with First Night International. The event folded after the second year due in large part to the frigid temperatures spoken of by Lewry. [First Night events in Keene and Concord have also folded in recent years.] “But I think there were probably some other problems they [the Manchester organizers] encountered ... sponsorships were a huge problem. Also I don’t know if we ever did fireworks in our city. Portsmouth does fireworks,” she said. Lewry said she hasn’t heard of any plans to resurrect First Night in Manchester and expressed doubts, the cold notwithstanding, that the city is need of such a city-wide celebration on New Year’s Eve as it once was. “In Manchester, now, there are other things to do. We have so many restaurants now. We have the Verizon Arena. There are so many activities now that I don’t know if there’s that pent-up need to have a community event, but I could be wrong,” she said. Indeed, she said, she hopes she is wrong. “I do like the idea that somebody might thinking about doing a First Night — maybe not calling it First Night, but having some kind of celebratory way to bring in the New Year,” she said. |
 Factoring First Night
By Richie Victorino Imagine a winter wonderland at Arms Park on New Year’s Eve. This wonderland would include ice carvings, snowmen, snow slides, lights decorations, small fires for warmth, carols, music, Santa and more. UNH Manchester’s auditorium could be used as a venue for an indoor concert, prior to the outdoor festivities. There could be lights strung up along the river for those interested in a stroll. There could be hot dog vendors and beer tents (like the Jazz and Blues Festival, only colder). This could be Manchester’s First Night. Right now we don’t have one. But we could, according to Peter Telge, owner of Milly’s Tavern. And it doesn’t have to be for just one night. This wonderland could open up a few days before New Year’s Eve. But in the end, Telge has learned one important factor that makes an outdoor festival, (like his charity events and Manchester’s Fourth of July celebration) a success. Fireworks. “Fireworks are key,” Telge said. “I found that even with my charity festival [this past summer], a 20-minute fireworks display, which cost me $2,500, made a world of difference. Fireworks make people come out.”
The Dream of First Night Sure, it’s cold in New Hampshire, but it’s equally cold in Boston and plenty of people come out for First Night there. It’s the same for Portland, Maine or Buffalo, N.Y. The trick is to program something worth watching/doing. Then ManchVegans of every stripe will pull on their long underwear and wrap up in scarves to join the party. Any good host knows the secrets of a good bash — good food, good music, low or no cover charge and good planning. All these and more can be had in Manchester. Consider the following First Night ideas. The New Beer’s Eve — Cordon off Hanover Street and tent part of it off. Set up performance stages at either end and line the north side of the street with food vendors. Set up some of those portable gas heaters at convenient locations. Then, get a couple of local bars — Milly’s Tavern and Strange Brew come to mind — to organize a big beer tasting, featuring only New Hampshire microbrews. The beer fest can be set up on that little side street that faces the entrance to the Citizens Bank parking garage. Folks can pay $5 to gain access to the party and/or $20 for a cup and five beer tokens. Each token can be traded for a beer sample and revelers would have the opportunity to buy more. Music-wise, focus on good dance bands — Mama Kicks, the Charms, James Montgomery, possibly the Mammals. At midnight, the city can toss candy and souvenirs into the crowd from on top of the parking garage. Manchester WaterFire — Stealing an idea from Providence, R.I., how about a fire sculpture display on the Merrimack? In Providence, each Dec. 31, more than 100 bonfires are lit on structures set up just above the surface of the water. Residents and visitors gather to stroll along the river while listening to music garnered from the city’s various cultures and ethnic groups. The fires are tended from sunset to past midnight by black-clad performers in boats. Set up some food booths and music stages along the river and you have yourself a party. At midnight, how about a short fireworks display? The Wicker Man — Quick, easy and fun. Food, music and revelry in Veterans Park. At midnight, a 20-foot-tall man made of wicker would be set ablaze. The mayor could fire that baby up, while wearing some kind of ceremonial garb, and then lead a singalong. New Year’s Poutine Party — Poutine is a once-popular snack consisting of French fries topped with fresh cheese curds and covered with hot gravy. As party foods go, it’s pretty cheap so throw a New Year’s bash and offer some free to everyone who comes. Get some good French-Canadian and Cajun bands, serve beer in buckets and you will have la festival! At midnight, the city can drop a 1980 Renault LeCar from a 25-foot crane. Got an idea for First Night 2006? Send them to.... news@hippopress.com and we’ll be sure they get to the mayor’s office and the head of InTown Manchester.
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