Press Releases 2011 - 2012
January 2012
Letter to the Editor
The holidays are over and New Year's Eve is just a memory.
For the First Night Williamsburg Board of Directors, the task of preparing a party for 6000 has just begun again.
First Night will celebrate its 20th anniversary December 31st. Undaunted, the months ahead are full of anticipation and enormous decisions. For the last 19 years, the partnerships that have formed have stayed true and steady. Perfect weather this year provided the setting for fun, music, foods, dancing, listening, friendships, laughter, and yes, even lines to get to some venues.
I wish to thank some of those businesses that are so important to us:
The City of Williamsburg, the College of William & Mary, Colonial Williamsburg, the police departments, Williamsburg-James City County Department of Transportation, Virginia Gazette, WMBG 740 AM, King of Glory Lutheran Church,
Thoughtbox Design, Printwell Design, and our appreciated grants from the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission and the Williamsburg Community Foundation. Wells Fargo and Towne Bank also believed in what we do and sponsored this event.
Plus we respect the talent of Cathy Lewis, WHRO/WHRV, as she hosted the event through her position of Honorary Chairman.
We had over 350 volunteers come forward to assist, and 20 locations sold our admission buttons.
My personal thanks cannot be extended enough times to the Board that also goes beyond any measure to stay true to the mission of this event. We will be evaluating now how we can continue to update and improve the shows.
See you in December! Happy New Year!
Robert "Bobby" Braxton, President
January 2012
First Night Top 5 Button Sales Locations
First Night Williamsburg awarded golden certificates in appreciation to its Top 5 Button Sales Locations.
Pictured are left to right: Robert "Bobby" Braxton, FNW board president; Ralph Youngs, Baskin Robbins; Sam Wallace, Kings Treasure;
Bob Anderson, Williamsburg General Store; Ron Cranford, FNW Button Sales Co-chair.
Not able to attend were Jeff Amory, Amory Music and George Coping, Wild Birds Unlimited. FNW Button Sales Chair Sallie Cooke was also unavailable.
First Night will begin its plan for its 20th anniversary year immediately.
January 2012
First Night Tops Out at 6000
The First Night Silver Sponsor, Wells Fargo, was pleased with receiving their buttons to join the other revelers. The staff at the Shops at Cedar Valley show off their white horse.
It was a balmy clear night for New Year's Eve celebrators in downtown Williamsburg.
6000 attendees mingled and danced their way through 40 live performing acts staged throughout the City and the College of William & Mary.
Lines were seen at many venues, but for the most part, people got to see who they came to see.
"We cleared the halls after each performance, and brought in more crowds quicker who were waiting," said President Robert "Bobby" Braxton.
It is a standing issue for the Board of Directors who pay close attention to all aspects of the event.
"We have come to First Night Williamsburg for three straight years," stated a man from Fairfax County.
First Night Williamsburg is a draw from the mid-Atlantic region.
Two new dance bands, Plunky and Oneness, and The Main Event Band had few seats open all evening at Sadler Center.
Honorary Chairman, Cathy Lewis, led the countdown at midnight as the First Night balloon was lowered and fireworks began.
"That's the longest fireworks show I've seen," said a visitor from Pennsylvania.
First Night Williamsburg Announces Changes to Program
First Night is coming New Year's Eve and is one of the largest annual events in the City.
Our partnership with the College of William & Mary, City of Williamsburg and Colonial Williamsburg makes this event memorable each year.
It is with regret that due to unforeseen circumstances, a few necessary changes in the musical program have been made.
32,000 programs have been printed. Signage is being produced to assist this situation.
With great sadness on the part of the First Night Board, long time story-teller, Red Hawk died in November.
Red Hawk was a narrative institution with our families, and he will be sorely missed in the Campus Center Little Theater.
The Board has scheduled Kim Kalman and Ron Fetner in that theater.
A new act, The Revolving Birds, has cancelled due to illness. Their performance was at the Bruton Parish Hall.
The Gurleys will move to Bruton Parish Hall to play with More Than Conquerors. That impacted The Windsome Wood Chamber Players
and they will perform in Christopher Wren for 3 early sets only.
We appreciate the Virginia Gazette's support of First Night.
Thank you again to our public.
May your new year be blessed with good health.
Robert " Bobby" Braxton
President FNW Board of Directors
December 2011
First Night Volunteer Meeting
First Night Williamsburg will hold its official annual Volunteer Meeting at the Williamsburg Regional Library Wednesday, December 28, 2011. The meeting will take place in the auditorium, site managers at 6:00 and all other volunteers at 7:30 pm.
For opportunities or questions, call Mary Carneal at 564-9396.
Almost 400 volunteers will again serve Williamsburg in this huge celebration of New Year's Eve.
December 2011
First Night Schedules Interviews
First Night president Robert "Bobby" Braxton confers over breakfast at Victoria's Restaurant with John Magliola, WMBG 740 AM announcer and Cathy Lewis, WHRO - WHRV radio and TV host. Cathy Lewis is the event Honorary Chairman for First Night and John Magliola a longtime supporter.
An interview schedule was arranged with WMBG for First Night performers to come on John's show. Cathy Lewis has made appearances for First Night and continues as the 2012 "face" of the event. First Night will once again provide live entertainment throughout Williamsburg and the campus of the College of William & Mary on indoor stages New Year's Eve. 6000 are expected to attend the event.
December 2011
Signs of the Holidays
Bruce Landefeld, First Night Board member brings an event sign to Nancy Sullivan, executive director of the Williamsburg Community Foundation.
WCF awarded a grant to First Night this year, and is sponsoring the KIDS SHOW at Matthew Whaley School.
The KIDS SHOW offers young families the chance to attend a New Year's Eve celebration from 3 - 7 pm, with fireworks at the conclusion.
December 2011
First Night Float in the Parade
First Night Board members brought out a float, the Three Jolly Coachmen
and 2 little girls to the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance parade.
"What a beautiful day and successful event!" stated FNW president Robert "Bobby" Braxton.
Thousands came out to see the parade and over 113 units marched together.
December 2011
First Night Williamsburg admission buttons go on sale December 1st.
The tradition of attending the New Year's Eve event in downtown Williamsburg continues by buying a button to wear.
This is the focus of First Night Board members as they deliver buttons to over 20 sales sites.
$15 buttons are accepted to sell by Diane Webb, owner of Merle Norman in Monticello Marketplace.
Visiting the store from left are Board members Ron Cranford and Sallie Cooke with owner Diane, and button rep Joan Miller.
400 volunteers will lend their time to First Night. 40 acts will perform live.
November 2011
First Night Williamsburg Board of Directors Plans for New Year's Eve
Seated: Alberta Faber, John Michael, Robert "Bobby" Braxton, Karen Peifer.
Back row: Paul Miller, Gary Little, Mary Carneal, Ron Cranford, Bruce Landefeld, Salle Cooke, Jerry Fields.
Not pictured: Diane Bender, Nancy Campbell, Brian Carlsen, Casey Van Veen, Tom Chamberlain, Christie Phillips.Photo by Michael Wagner-Diggs.
The First Night Board of Directors stands ready for another New Year's Eve celebration for downtown Williamsburg.
The franchise is in its 19th year and promises over 40 performing acts, a third of which are new to the area.
The Board meets once a month at King of Glory Lutheran Church. For inquiries, call 757-258-5153 or
info@firstnightwilliamsburg.org
This event is made possible in part through grants from the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission and the Williamsburg Community Foundation.
The call up for volunteers has begun. Many interesting slots are available.
October 2011
First Night Selects Honorary Chairman
The First Night Williamsburg Board of Directors selected Cathy Lewis of WHRO/WHRV to be Honorary Chairman for their event December 31, 2011.
Cathy Lewis is a well-known broadcaster in the Hampton Roads market, hosting HearSay with Cathy Lewis Monday through Thursday on WHRV-FM 89.5, public radio for Hampton Roads. In addition to her broadcast work, Cathy serves as Executive Director of the CIVIC Leadership Institute, an organization that inspires executives to share their expertise with non-profit organizations and the public sector. Best known for her ability to connect with audiences, Cathy is a popular keynote speaker and conference emcee. A graduate of Marshall University, she also holds an honorary doctorate from Virginia Wesleyan College.
First Night is in its 19th year and has brought over 110,000 people to downtown Williamsburg in its history of New Year's Eve celebrations.
September 2011
First Night Williamsburg Honors the 9-11 Walk
Happy to share the flags, the colors and Duke of Gloucester Street, are First Night Board members, Alberta Faber, Mary Carneal, and Karen Peifer.
First Night Board members have participated for years in the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance event to honor the anniversaries of 9-11.