Press Releases 2009
January 25, 2010
Top 5 Button Sales Locations Announced
First Night president Bobby Braxton, second from left, presented the special certificates to Bob Anderson - Williamsburg General Store,
Jeff Amory - Amory Music, and Jim Easop - King's Treasure. Also included in the Top 5 but not pictured were Baskin-Robbins and Olde Towne Pharmacy.The First Night Board of Directors announced the Top 5 Button Sales locations for the 2010 event.
Amory Music
Baskin-Robbins
King's Treasure
Olde Towne Pharmacy
Williamsburg General Store
January 20, 2010:
To the Virginia Gazette Editor
First Night 2010 has passed and the glow remains. We chose to "Smile Beyond Today" and understood that 2009 was a difficult year due to the economy and many personal hardships. We were determined to provide another grand show for locals and visitors alike at a reasonable price. The Board of Directors has met and assessed the event, and wants to thank the community at large for their continued attendance and kind compliments. Interestingly what we found this year was 2/3 of our crowd was from out of town. Perhaps it was the great combination of Historic Triangle events and opportunities that culminated with First Night, or it was just First Night. Whichever, we embraced people from as far as Germany, Columbia, Maine, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, all over Virginia and Delaware.
Our Honorary Chairman was Marshall Warner, Executive Vice President of Chesapeake Bank. He was always where we needed him with a smile. To the Virginia Gazette and WMBG, wydaily, Next Door Neighbors, MY TIME for Women, Toano-Norge Times, and the Daily Press, you have proven local is BEST and your community support is undeniable. To John Magliola, our Grand Finale MC, and WMBG 740 AM radio afternoon announcer, we appreciate all the interview time and great sense of humor. To our soloists in Zable Stadium - Eric Horne, Alberta Faber, and Ray Gresham, we applaud your spirit and music in the mist. To the City and College campus police, you said "There were no incidents." That is a testimony to the quality of this non-alcoholic event. To the Chesapeake Bank, all the 20 button sales sites, thank you for being cordial and helpful and opening your business to our visitors: Amory Music, Baskin-Robbins, Chesapeake Payment Systems, Ford's Colony Community Center, Hi-Ho Silver locations, Kings Treasure, Merle Norman Cosmetics & Gifts, The Mole Hole stores, Olde Towne Pharmacy, The Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg Drug Company, Williamsburg General Store, Long & Foster Realtors York, and Pin Ups Hair Lounge, Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center, Williamsburg Regional Library and the Kimball Theatre.
To the loyal donors of many many years, we appreciate you and know your support helped make this evening happen. To the 200 entertainers who brought the rainy night to life and to the College of William & Mary that opened its stages, plus the Williamsburg buildings also that hosted the performers - many thanks. To the Colonial Williamsburg sign shop, you made our paths straighter and easier to navigate; to the W-JCC bus drivers who drove our guests, the custodial personnel, the churches that gave us space, many thanks; to Matthew Whaley Elementary School that hosted the KIDS SHOW and fireworks, hundreds came through your halls and enjoyed it all - thanks! To the Food Vendors, no one went away disappointed in the variety that was offered. To King of Glory Lutheran Church for your comfortable meeting space all year. And the Williamsburg Hotel-Motel Association partnered with us to assist visitors coming in for the holidays. The 330 volunteers who came forward to meet and greet and manage sites, we could not have done it without YOU! And to the First Night Board of Directors, I have bragged about your dedication all year.
First Night 2011 planning has begun. We will bring you more of Virginia's finest talent, partnerships, and smiles beyond today on December 31, 2010.
And importantly to business - be a sponsor this year. Help us keep this event part of the Williamsburg Holiday Destination story.
Robert "Bobby" Braxton
President
First Night Williamsburg
December 31, 2009
First Night Williamsburg Welcomed 2010
Photographs by Michael Wagner-Diggs (except Soundworks)First Night Williamsburg held its 17th event December 31st. The running theme was "Smile Beyond Today" offering hope for 2010. 58 performing acts led the variety of entertainment and fifteen food vendors offered up their favorites to steady crowds. 400 volunteers manned their posts vigilantly as the performers sang and played. Made From Scratch, a popular returning group, called out with the flu disappointing the fans.
The numbers were lighter than in years past, but seemed normal for 2009 considering a sagging economy and rainy, misty weather all evening. "This is one of the best things in Williamsburg," said local Rich Watkins. "It's great - we came back again just for this!" said Bill Grucher of Maine. There were no dampened spirits at the Matthew Whaley School with face painting going by the Kolonial Klowns. Geddy the Gecko from Florida performed again for a laughing, dancing audience of children and adults, plus a magician, a juggler and a pirate show.
A first for First Night was a wedding proposal that occurred during the 8:00 show of Soundworks in the Sadler Center. Brian Schreiner asked Jenn Hamscher of Harrisburg to marry him in front of an audience of over 200. Brian had arranged the moment with the Soundworks group and they sang a love song to the couple following Jenn's acceptance. She was in Williamsburg with her parents and they caught it all on video.
Another first were fireworks in the fog. A heavy mist hung over Zable Stadium as the First Night balloon dropped early to a crowd of 2500. The colors seemed like cotton candy balls and the reds and greens lingered eerily across the sky. But there was no lack of enthusiasm despite the umbrellas. The crowds cheered and clapped for Eric Horne, Alberta Faber and Ray Gresham, the three soloists who performed prior to the fireworks display. Master of Ceremonies John Magliola, WMBG Williamsburg's radio station, talked to the crowd with ease, learning that over half were out of towners. First Night Honorary Chairman Marshall Warner wished everyone a Happy New Year and wished for 2010 to be better for all.
The First Night Board members asked individuals during the night where they were in from, and found most were from out of state including Maryland, Maine, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, South America, and all over Virginia. "This is such a nice variety of music. We'll be back with our kids next year," Ann Saye of Atlanta. Smiling Beyond Today seemed to say it all.
December 22, 2009
To the Virginia Gazette Editor
Williamsburg is a great city all year, but especially at the holidays. Duke of Gloucester is decorated in the colonial manner, Merchants Square offers live entertainment at the Kimball for all ages, restaurants and quaint shops, Busch Gardens has brought a fairyland to life in the form of Christmas Town, Jamestown Settlement offers stories of life as it was during the first Christmas in the new world, Prime Outlets and the Outlet Mall sparkle and hustle with the shopping spirit, and the churches come alive with music and invitations.
At the conclusion of this beautiful season First Night Williamsburg awaits its visitors. We know it has not been the best economic year for many. For arts groups, the same is true. Our New Year’s Eve holds the best answer to value and entertainment for families and singles of all ages. We will provide 58 live performing acts and 15 food vendors throughout the city, the College of William & Mary and the churches. Our special KIDS SHOW runs from 3 pm to 7:30, perfect for young families.
We ask everyone to Smile Beyond Today. This family friendly event is in its 17th year. We invite you to step into a celtic performance, a blues band, a story-teller, a rock concert, a blue grass group. Let them take you to another place as you soak up the music.
Hundreds of people have prepared the night for you. Take advantage of it.
Hope to see you at First Night.
Marshall Warner,
First Night Honorary Chairman
October 31, 2009
2010 Honorary Chairman
2010 First Night Honorary Chairman Marshall Warner
The Board of Directors of First Night Williamsburg, Inc., is proud to announce that Marshall Warner will be the Honorary Chairman for the 2010 New Year’s Eve celebration, Mr. Warner is Executive Vice President of Chesapeake Bank. He is a graduate of Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and served in the U.S. Army as a Captain. Mr. Warner serves on many Boards and Committees in the community, including the Chesapeake Investment Group Board of Directors, current Chairman of the United Way, James City County Economic Development Authority, and Past Chairman of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance.
September 11, 2009
First Night remembers 9-11
Left to right: Bertie Faber-First Night, Captain John Hansen-City of Williamsburg Fire Department, Karen Peifer-First Night, Chief Tal Lutton-James City County Fire Department, City of Williamsburg Mayor Jeanne Zeidler, Ron Cranford - First Night, Williamsburg City Councilman Robert "Bobby" Braxton - First Night President.
Over 1000 people participated in the third annual Freedom Walk and 9-11 Remembrance event sponsored by the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance and Colonial Williamsburg.
January 31, 2009
First Night Board of Directors
Back row: Bruce Landefeld, Alberta Faber, Paul Miller, Gary Little, President Robert "Bobby" Braxton, Ron Cranford, Mary Lorenzen, Tom Chamberlain.
Front row: Karen Peifer, Tressell Carter, Nancy Sherman, Sarah Gillespie, Jan Weaver, Casey Van Veen. Missing were Nancy Campbell, John Michael, Bob Day, Greg Riley and Christie Phillips.
First Night Williamsburg recently installed its Board of Directors for the upcoming 2009/2010 season. First Night will again provide an alcohol-free family friendly New Year's eve celebration December 31, 2009. For seventeen years, dedicated volunteers have planned this event through an international organization dedicated to the performing arts around America.
Over 8000 people came to the last New Year's event from around the region and some even from the international community.
Volunteers are always welcome to participate. Call 757-258-5153. The Board meets monthly at King of Glory Lutheran Church and preparation continues all through the year.