Ring in the new year at First Night celebration

Just a reminder that you can celebrate the arts and the new year at the 10th annual First Night Tacoma-Pierce County, from noon until midnight Dec. 31.

The event features the works of more than 300 performing and visual artists, and includes daytime activities in the Museum District from noon until 5 p.m., and more fun along Antique Row to the Sheraton Hotel until midnight.

“We have put together a better arrangement of performances this year than ever before,” said Bennett Thurmon, programming director for First Night. “We have performances by VamoLa, Nu Vines, Del Rey and Steve James, festive art activities like indoor kite flying and mask making, a masquerade ball with Northwest Sinfonietta, and much more.”

Also, as a new First Night partner, the Metropolitan Park District will present the first ever “Ice Walk.”

The attraction will be a 30-foot trough of ice water designed to challenge the heartiest First Night revelers.

Admission buttons cost $10 in advance at Pierce County Safeway stores, Columbia Bank branches, Broadway Center for the Performing Arts and LeRoy Jewelers, and $12 the night of the event.

Festivalgoers can ride to First Night for free beginning at 5 p.m. by parking at the Tacoma Dome and boarding a Pierce Transit bus.

For more information, call 253/572-8373 or visit www.firstnighttacoma.com.