First Night events in the Valley offer fun for the whole family
Shenandoah Valley – Times Square isn’t the only hip place to be on December 31. Many communities across the United States now have events to celebrate New Years called “First Night.” Our area is no exception. Almost in every nook and cranny of the Valley you can join other people in ringing in 2010. Here is a sampling of the various festivities, so grab your warm clothes and get ready for some fun!
- Buchanan - Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve Bell Ringing – Enjoy a reception featuring music, light refreshments and games beginning at 8PM. Then, enjoy a free movie at 10PM, followed by an 11:30 PM gathering in the Fellowship Hall and on the front lawn of Trinity Episcopal Church to ring in the New Year. Activities will include watching the dropping of the New Year’s Ball and the ringing of Buchanan’s historic church bells throughout downtown at midnight.
- Harrisonburg – Dec 31 – First Night Harrisonburg – Celebrate the New Year with your family and community. Festivities and entertainment begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude with a fireworks spectacular at midnight. See their website for details.
- Leesburg - Dec 31 – First Night Loudoun County – Ring in the new year in Downtown Leesburg at First Night. There will be over 100 performances at 20 indoor locations downtown–including live music, puppet shows, magicians, and the grand illumination on the Courthouse Green at midnight.
- Mt. Crawford – Dec 31 – New Year’s Ali d’Oro Gala (The Gold Dance) – Join in the fun. Celebrate the season with wine, food and dance in our beautifully-decorated Key Room. This black-tie event is the perfect beginning to your Christmas week. $100 per person.
- Natural Bridge – Dec 31 – New Year’s Gala at Natural Bridge – Celebrate the arrival of a new decade at the Natural Bridge New Year’s Gala. The evening starts with our famous Prime Rib Buffet. Then it kicks into high gear with dancing to music provided by The House Band of Virginia. When the clock strikes twelve, join in on the champagne toast.
- Orange – Dec 31 – Music on Main Street – Celebrate the New Year during the 4th Annual New Year’s Celebration in Downtown Orange. There will be events for the whole family including food, fireworks, games, and much more.
- Roanoke – Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve Blast – Featuring Enuff and Center Hill playing all of your favorite hits at the Roanoke Civic Center. Ring in the new year than with the annual dropping of the Roanoke Star. 8 pm to 1:30 am – Sponsored by WSLS 10.
Also in Roanoke, enjoy the “The New Year’s Eve Bouncy Ball Drop” – Kids of all ages will gather in the atrium of Center in the Square just before noon for the countdown to the second annual New Year’s Eve Bouncy Ball Drop. At noon, everyone will drop their bouncy balls from various levels to the atrium’s first floor.
- Staunton – Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve Gala – Enjoy a romantic evening and ring in the New Year with style at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.
- Strasburg - Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve at The Strasburg Theater – Come Celebrate New Years Eve with local southern rock legends Nightrider Band. Live music, party goodies and champagne at midnight included. Special overnight hotel package available at the Fairfield Inn in Strasburg.
- Vinton – Dec 31 – Enchanted Eve: A New Year’s Eve Alcohol-Free Celebration – “Enchanted Eve” is Roanoke County’s alcohol-free, New Year’s Eve celebration, which provides a range of alternative possibilities to traditional New Year’s Eve revelry. The many community-based “inside” events will reflect activities and entertainment for all ages.
- Warm Springs – Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve Music Holiday – Celebrate the New Year at Garth Newel with the Chamber Players, Beethoven, and delicious food. Our jazz trio plays music for dancing until the Champagne toast at midnight. Then, start your year right with a concert and brunch on New Year’s Day.
- Warrenton – Dec 31 – First Night Warrenton – Ring in the New Year at First Night in Old Town Warrenton. Come see over 50 performances including live music, puppet shows, magicians, and the Grand Illumination at the Old Courthouse.
- Winchester – Dec 31 – First Night Winchester – Ring in the New Year at First Night Winchester in historic Old Town! The fun begins with more than 50 performers staging over 35 shows, including rock’n’roll, jazz, country, classical, big band, magicians puppeteers, a world champion trick roper, and much, much more! First Night will go on rain or shine, so get your admission buttons in advance for a discount or at the gate for $12. 6:00 PM – 12:30 AM. Children welcome. Phone: (540) 533-5561, or visit their fantastic website.
Here are two other New Years events to be aware of:
- Prince Williams County – There will be a New Year’s Day Hike.. The Bull Run Mountains Conservancy invites to you to join them for a morning “New Year’s Day” hike in the Bull Run Mountains. All are welcome to join in this free nature hike to explore the winter woods.
- Luray – The Mimslyn Inn is offering a New Years Eve Package on December 31 – One night’s lodging, hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting, a five-course dinner at Circa ‘31, big band and classical jazz entertainment, fireworks, a champagne toast at midnight, and breakfast on Jan. 1. The cost is $475/per couple.
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