First Night Haddonfield hosts kid-friendly events
Calling all kids to First Night Haddonfield, a family-friendly, alcohol-free evening of fun in Downtown Haddonfield on Wednesday, Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to midnight.
First Night features a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration complete with live entertainment, fireworks, activities and fun for all ages — especially young kids and kids at heart, who will delight in the variety of acts and activities available just for them in the First Night KidZone.
The KidZone, geared toward children ages 9 and under, will be located at Haddonfield’s Central/Middle School Gym from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Kids will enjoy hours of special entertainment and activities.
Give and Take Little Circus will be at the middle school gym from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Give and Take presents a three-person little circus — featuring aerial fabric, trapeze and tight wire routines; along with the warmth, humor and the audience participation for which Give and Take is known.
Give and Take Jugglers will be at the Middle School Gym from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Give and Take Jugglers Show will surprise and please you. It has impressive juggling, comedy and lots of audience involvement — keeping the crowd engaged until the end of each performance. The show is popular, exciting and funny — and sure to delight children of all ages. For more information, please visit www.giveandtakejugglers.com.
Brian Richards Magic Show will be at the Central School All Purpose Room form 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Enjoy a spectacular magic show from a First Night Haddonfield veteran, Brian Richards. Richards has won many awards including Best Comic Magician by the Society of American Magicians and Best Performer by the Philadelphia Society of Family Entertainers. Richards’s unique personality will most certainly provide a memorable experience for the whole family. For more information, please visit www.brianrichardsmagic.com.
The Paisley Pickles — Not Your Ordinary Kid’s Band will be at the Central School All Purpose Room from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bring the zing back into your musical diet with the sounds of The Paisley Pickles. Blending creative lyrics with their signature mixture of jazz, punk and rock, the Paisley Pickles will be cooking up an engaging musical feast to satisfy children and parents alike. Their high-energy and interactive performances have been showcased with The El Paso Symphony Orchestra, the Kimmel Center of Philadelphia, the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater in New York City, and many other national venues. Whether on television or on stage, The Paisley Pickles will most certainly provide a memorable and tasty experience for the whole family. For more information, please visit www.paisleypickles.com.
First Night Café will be at the Haddonfield Middle School Cafeteria from 6 p.m. to midnight. Stop into First Night Café for a quick bite, warm drink or late night snack in the Middle School Cafeteria hosted by Ludovico’s of Haddonfield. First Night Café will serve a la carte family-friendly meals, specialty foods and homemade favorites from 6 p.m. to midnight. Local Haddonfield restaurants will also be open throughout the downtown and are encouraging reservations. Downtown Haddonfield offers an assortment of dining options — including fine restaurants, quaint coffee shops, and sweet ice cream parlors. Fine chef-owned eateries offer a range of cuisines like Italian, Asian, Mediterranean, Indian and more; fun & casual dining offers include hoagies, pizza, organic juice drinks, crepes, ice cream and more; and an array of gourmet and food-oriented retailers sell everything from gourmet cupcakes and specialty olive oils to food items from France and the British Isles. The chefs of Haddonfield provide guests an authentic experience with unique menu items offering savory dining options sure to meet the appetite of any hungry visitor.
When the fun’s all done at the KidZone, head outside to enjoy the dramatic fireworks show that takes place at 9 p.m. Thousands of revelers will crane their heads skyward on Kings Highway to send 2014 off with an early bang and welcome in the New Year. The fun doesn’t end there. There’s more late night entertainment including the late night dance party at the Middle School Gym with disc jockey entertainment playing your favorite party songs and pop hits. Gather ’round, dance, sing and celebrate with friends and family.
Beginning at 6 p.m. free shuttle buses are available to transport visitors to participating venues along Kings Highway. Shuttles run about every 15 minutes and include stops at the Methodist Church, Central/Middle School, Kings Court Gazebo, opposite Starbucks, Indian King Tavern, Haddon Fortnightly, and Haddonfield Memorial High School. Free parking will be available at the PATCO.
First Night Buttons are your admission to all of the entertainment and activities. Buttons are $15 each (children 2 and under are free) and are available anytime online at www.firstnighthaddonfield.org or at the Haddonfield Information Center in Kings Court, Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (856) 216–7253 for assistance.
Other button outlets in town include: Professional Printing, Carl’s Haddonfield Service, Republic Bank, TD Bank, Ludovico’s and Haddonfield Public Library. Visit the website for a complete list of participating Downtown Haddonfield shops and their locations. Button sales benefit First Night to keep the tradition going.
First Night is currently seeking volunteers — without whom the event would not be possible. The event relies heavily on the generosity of area businesses, organizations and individuals in order to create a successful event that the entire family can look forward to year after year. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to take part in giving back during the holidays and support the community by donating their time and resources at one of the most anticipated events of the year. Volunteers are needed to help coordinate and run this most incredible family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration in the area. Come with a friend, or volunteer by yourself and join the 100-plus volunteers who donate their time to make sure the tradition stays alive with excitement. For more information on how to join the growing list of volunteers, please visit www.firstnighthaddonfield.org; or contact us at info@firstnighthaddonfield.org or by phone at (856) 429–4700 x300. All volunteers receive free buttons to attend First Night Haddonfield.
First Night Haddonfield, modeled after ‘First Night USA,’ has become a tradition for over 7,000 area residents and visitors annually. First Night launched in Haddonfield in 1997 as a part of an international alliance of more than 100 cities that showcase the visual and performing arts through New Year’s Eve celebrations that are safe, affordable and fun — all while being alcohol-free. First Night has become a family New Year’s Eve tradition celebrating the New Year in Haddonfield with an old-fashioned sense of community where locals gather, families make memories and friends meet.
First Night Haddonfield is hosted by the Haddonfield Cultural Events Commission, a non-profit organization with a hands-on board that works vigorously to make sure the community has a safe, affordable and alcohol-free event to bring their families to year after year.
For more information on First Night Haddonfield 2015, please visit www.firstnighthaddonfield.org. For more information on Downtown Haddonfield, please visit www.downtownhaddonfield.com.
