Why would you ever want to park yourself in front of the tv or worse yet, go to a flop of a party just to have something "fun" to do to celebrate the coming new year when there's a better way and it's right here in your area? First Night State College is a family-friendly, alcohol-free alternative to the typical New Year's celebration. The event brings together the fragile beauty of ice sculpture, a wide variety of performing arts, and unique expressions of the holiday you simply won't find anywhere else.

The first "must have" for First Night would be the button. The First Night button is your ticket to numerous shows and events and the money raised helps to offset the cost to bring this one-of-a-kind celebration to light every year. The $8 button is available at area merchants, by purchase online, and at the Information Booth and all venues.

Next, you need to dress for the weather. Wear layers so it's easy to acclimate to each venue, whether inside or outside. Outdoor venues include South Allen Street where you'll find giant ice sculptures and much more, and Central Parklet where you'll find Fire Sculptures, First Bells, food, the Ice Slide and more!

Indoor venues are located throughout the First Night State College route and each features anything from Children's Arts and Crafts Workshops to a Chinese New Year's Party and much more! Entertainers come from near and far to share their talents with you. See Chuck Flayhart: Comedy, Magic and Other Stuff at Penn State Downtown Theatre. Arts Festival favorite, Deirdre Flint, bring her brand of folk and satire to you. Christopher Guzman brings his internationally recognized piano expertise to St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Rockfest bring a battle of the bands to the teen set featuring a number of talented young musicians. Amazing Feats of Comedy by Michael Rosman will entertain at the State College Municipal! See the entire schedule for more information!

Kids want to ring in the new year, too. That's why First Night offers a variety of events that the kids will enjoy and you can enjoy with them! The Puppet Factory presents The Precious Pearl at the Days Inn Penn State. Go ice skating and enjoy the music at The Penn State Ice Pavilion. The Grand Procession (not JUST for kids) steps off at 6:30pm and features an array of giant pa pier mache puppets consisting of birds, lions, wizards, and other animals, brought to life by your friends and neighbors. Local drummers are also welcome to join in by utilizing one of the available African drums or bring your own. Visit the live reindeer! And get creative with the arts and crafts events going on at the State College Municipal Building. Make New Year's Badges, LED Candles and Party hats!

The romantics among us will want to take a horse-drawn carriage ride. (This is very popular and first-come, first-served so plan accordingly and bundle up!) Stroll South Allen Street and watch the ice sculptors in action, turning frozen water to super cool works of art. Share a big bag of fresh kettle corn and a hot chocolate or cappuccino or any of the wide variety of delicious foods along the way. Visit The Burning Man at the State College Municipal Building Lobby and finally get rid of the 2011 wishes, regrets, and resolutions you didn’t keep so you can start 2012 anew, together!

NEW THIS YEAR:

The Time Tunnel
Sponsored by First National Bank
Noon – midnight; South Allen Street
The Time Tunnel simulates a journey through the year, from the dark of today to light and optimism for the New Year. Walking through the Time Tunnel, one becomes an explorer discovering clues and messages from different cultures all welcoming them to their new future. Audience members will move through a series of experiences from a “confetti” storm to a wall of chimes and all ending in a glow of self-reflecting light.

Wish on a Fish!
5 p.m. – midnight; State College Municipal Building, Upstairs Lobby
You don’t have to be an experienced angler to catch the idea of fishing while fishing in the “Oceans Quilt”. Audience members will catch a fish that contains their New Year’s resolution on how to save energy and help our planet. Once the message is read, the angler will “catch and release” the fish back into the pond for the next fisherman. All the fish and the fabric quilt were made out of recycled and scrap materials.

Make this gem of an event one of your treasured family traditions! Here are some helpful links to get you started:

• Schedule of Events
• The Venues
• Buy A Button Outlets
• Visitor Information
• Food & Merchandise
• Ice Sculpture Information

For more about First Night® State College, visit their website.