First Night Northampton returns to in-person formatDate: 12/23/2022 NORTHAMPTON – One of the largest performance festivals in Massachusetts is set to return to a full in-person format after COVID-19 altered its traditional makeup since 2019.
After using a livestream format over the past couple of years to spearhead the celebration, First Night Northampton is set to ring in the New Year with a myriad of music and performance art events at 21-plus venues across the city.
The legendary event, which is now in its 38th year, was supposed to return to an in-person format for the 2022 New Year’s celebration but rising COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant forced a transition back to a streaming format.
With more people vaccinated from COVID-19 than ever before, the hope for the 2023 celebration is a return to what people expected prior to 2021.
Steven Sanderson, First Night Northampton’s producer, is optimistic about the event going off without a hitch and believes that everyone involved in the festival must maintain faith.
“I’ve been in and around concert and festival promotion pretty much my entire life now,” said Sanderson. “One of my rules is, you have to go at it hard in the paint like [the event] is going to happen ... it’s all or nothing.”
Although First Night Northampton is approaching its fourth decade of existence, organizers are always adding value to the festival. At its core, the event is still a conjoined celebration with corporate partners, Northampton Arts Council, area businesses, performing artists, festival attendees and downtown venues on New Year’s Eve.
Described as the city’s longest running event, the goal of the celebration is to connect thousands of people for 12 hours of family-friendly entertainment from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Dec. 31.
According to Sanderson, there are multiple smaller venues on Main Street that now have windows so people can watch certain performances from the inside while others can still choose to watch performances on the street.
Specifically, some bands and musicians will perform in the front rooms of Downtown Sounds as well as the site of the former Birdhouse Music at 164 Main St. The upstairs of Bishop’s Lounge is also a new spot for First Night Northampton and will feature many performers including the Expandable Brass Band and Eddie Saturn.
“We’ve just absolutely filled the downtown with things to do and see,” said Sanderson.
Aside from the 21 brick-and-mortar venues, Sanderson also said that the street outside Hotel Northampton is blocked off and becomes an extra dance floor from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. as the city celebrates the countdown and ball-raising.
Another staple, the fireworks, will return to this year’s festival between 6 and 7 p.m.
A general rundown
The festival caters to younger children at the beginning of the day with performances by magicians, and jugglers like SHOW Circus Studio at the Academy of Music, Valley FLOW & Juggle and more, according to Sanderson. These events occur after a kickoff parade at 11:30 a.m. spearheaded by the Expandable Brass Band.
Those who missed the circus at noon can watch a repeat of it at 1 p.m., which is when some of the other venues begin to activate with performances by Ed the Balloon Man, Mad Science of Western New England.
Once 2 p.m. hits, people can start to expect music performances of many genres mixed in with other performance art for the rest of the day.
“We pretty much look at 12 to 6 p.m. as the day event,” said Sanderson. “The fireworks at 6 p.m. is like closure for the little ones celebrating New Year’s night.”
After 7 p.m., performances continue with appearances from Peace & Rhythm DJS, Love Crumbs, The Northamptones, The Suitcase Junket as the headliner at 9;30 p.m. and more. In all, there are over 70 different acts throughout the day, whether musical or performance art.
COVID-19
Despite the ongoing presence of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, Sanderson hopes that people will use common sense when it comes to safety.
“You should be concerned about stuff like that,” said Sanderson. “If you are concerned and in an enclosed space, wear a mask.”
If people are sick or feel sick, Sanderson also advises them to stay home. “For the sake of others, don’t come out when your sick,” he said. “There’s no reason why someone should feel weird about wearing a mask in public.”
How to purchase pins
People can still purchase pins online ranging from $8 to $20. Those who wish to purchase online may collect them at First Night Northampton’s headquarters in Thornes Marketplace on the second floor.
People can learn more about the performance schedule and how to purchase pins by visiting the First Night Northampton website at https://www.firstnightnorthampton.org/.
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