Ring in 2015 during 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, activities, fun for all ages and a dazzling fireworks display.
First Night Buttons — An Affordable Gift of Fun!
First Night Buttons are your admission to all of the entertainment and activities for New Year’s Eve. First Night Buttons make perfect stocking stuffers — a way to gift memories for a lifetime! And they’re a great value — six hours of great live entertainment and activities for only $15 per person; children 2 and under are free!
First Night Buttons and are available anytime online at www.firstnighthaddonfield.org/buttons 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. In addition to normal hours the Haddonfield Information Center will be offering extended holiday hours on Tuesday, Dec. 30 from noon to 6 p.m. and on Wednesday, Dec. 31 from noon to 9 p.m. Other button outlets in town include: Professional Printing, Carl’s Haddonfield Service, Republic Bank, Ludovico’s and Haddonfield Public Library. Visit the website for a complete list of participating Downtown Haddonfield shops and their locations.
Purchase your buttons early to ensure your entry to the most affordable, entertaining family event of the year. Button sales benefit First Night to keep the tradition going.
“First Night Haddonfield is an incredible event,” said Rose Alemi, executive director, First Night Haddonfield 2015. “It is not only a unique and affordable way to come together to celebrate the New Year, but it’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce the many talented musicians and artists located in our South Jersey community,” Alemi added.
A 17-Year Family Entertainment Tradition
This spectacular celebration offers one of the area’s most diverse and sizeable gatherings of electrifying musical entertainment acts as well as entertaining presentations of visual and performing arts, transforming the downtown into a town wide stage. Other festivities taking place during the six-hour event include comedy, magic, children’s entertainment, food and dancing.
More than 40 performances in 20 different indoor venues on Kings Highway are scheduled — for audiences of all ages from children and families to teens and seniors — to take place including headliners: The Doo-Wah Riders, The Screaming Orphans and The Unexpected Boys.
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.
The KidZone
Young kids and kids at heart 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 including: Give and Take Little Circus, Give and Take Jugglers, Brian Richards Magic Show and The Paisley Pickles — Not Your Ordinary Kids Band.
First Night Café
Stop into First Night Café at the Haddonfield Middle School Cafeteria from 6 p.m. to midnight for a quick bite, warm drink or late night snack in the Middle School Cafeteria hosted by Ludovico’s of Haddonfield. Family-friendly meals, specialty foods, homemade favorites, snacks and beverages will be available for purchase from 6 p.m. to midnight. The café will be closed from 8:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., before and after the fireworks show.
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.
First Night Fireworks
When the fun’s all done at all of the indoor performances, 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 excitement 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.
Free Parking & Free Shuttles
Parking is free in Downtown Haddonfield on Wednesday, Dec. 31 and beginning at 6 p.m. 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 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.
