Planning for Carlisle’s New Year’s Celebration is already in the works, and the theme for 2014 is “First Night 2014: Lite up the Nite.”

Thought it might seem far in advance, the First Night Carlisle board meets all year to plan every aspect of the event, including the button contest and musical performances.

This year, the board welcomed four new members, Pam Crumb, Bill Ryerson, Cindy Wilson and Jacqueline Dennison, to plan the 16th annual downtown celebration.

E.K. Weitzel, chairman of the board, is set on making the 2014 celebration the best yet.

“The new First Night Board is gearing up for a new, fresh take on the event,” she said. “We plan to have some bold and exciting changes that will make the whole experience more memorable. This includes new musical acts and a different take on some aspects.”

The 2013 event marked the 15th anniversary of First Night Carlisle, but was a challenge due to cold weather conditions and the holidays falling on a Monday.

“The major winner was the firework show, which wowed the audience,” Weitzel added.

This year, the board is hoping to generate continued support from community leaders, businesses and organizations.

The Carlisle Regional Medical Center has also, once again, agreed to sponsor the button contest, and the Carlisle Arts Learning Center is offering a $150 gift certificate for a summer children’s art camp. Button contest entries will be accepted from April 1 to May 31, Weitzel said.

The button design contest is open to all elementary and middle school-aged children. Children can design original buttons, preferably using colored pens, pencils or markers. Entries should be submitted on quality white paper. No construction paper, oak-tag, texture, newsprint or colored paper will be accepted.

Drawings will not be returned and will become property of First Night Carlisle.

Entries can be sent to First Night Carlisle Button Contest, c/o Carlisle Theatre, 44 W. High St., Carlisle, PA 17013.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact the organization by leaving a detailed voicemail at 800-381-1394 or by email at info@firstnightcarlisle.org.

Read the article here: http://cumberlink.com/news/local/first-night-carlisle-announces-new-theme/article_cb3a2b9c-9347-11e2-b342-0019bb2963f4.html

We could not have a successful event without YOU!

Cost is $15

The Carlisle First Night board Tuesday announced that artwork from a Wilson Middle School student is the winning design in its annual First Night button contest.

Gloria Kim, a sixth-grade student at Wilson Middle School, was selected as this year’s winner. First Night received 108 entries for this year’s competition.

According to First Night chairwoman EK Weitzel, Gloria’s drawing was chosen because it reflects the enthusiasm of the 15th annual event, and the artwork was the unanimous choice of the board.

“We’re always thrilled to have the contest,” Weitzel said. “The board feels First Night is a community event and everybody has a role, even the children.”

Weitzel added that the nine finalists were all appreciated for their work and colorful take on this year’s theme “15th Anniversary.”

Gloria will receive a $150 scholarship to the Carlisle Arts Learning Center to be used for education programs. She’ll also receive four free buttons for entry to First Night 2013 from contest sponsor Carlisle Regional Medical Center.

Runner-up entries include: Frances Bixby, sixth-grader at Wilson Middle School; Gemma Laverty, fourth-grader at Mount Rock Elementary; Keara Kobzowicz, Homeschooled eighth-grader; Tiffany Lee Roll, sixth-grader at Wilson Middle School; Carly White, fourth-grader at Mount Rock Elementary; Emily Franklin, seventh-grader at Big Spring Middle School; Danielle Fevola, third-grader at N. Dickinson Elementary; Trevor Orris, sixth-grader at Wilson Middle School; and Elaina Thompson, first-grader at Crestview Elementary.

Carlisle Borough Council also approved street closures for First Night during its July 12 meeting. Streets to be closed this year include West High Street from Hanover to College streets, the first block of North and South Pitt streets and the first blocks of North and South West streets.

This year’s First Night event will feature musicians, magic acts, street performers and crafts. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact First Night co-ordinators at the First Night website, www.firstnightcarlisle.org.

Read more: http://cumberlink.com/news/local/first-night-chooses-winning-button-design/article_3eb28bc2-d602-11e1-89f5-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz229k4jx1k

The design must illustrate the 2013 First Night “15th Anniversary” theme. The deadline for entries is June 1.

“We hope all young people will take this opportunity to showcase their talents for their community,” said EK Weitzel, First Night chairwoman. “The design, once selected, will incorporate the name of the winner, giving recognition to the artist for their skill.”

The winner of the contest will receive a $150 scholarship to the Carlisle Arts Learning Center to be used for education programs, as well as four free buttons for entry to First Night 2013 from contest sponsor Carlisle Regional Medical Center.

Anyone wishing to enter the Carlisle Regional Medical Center button contest can download a form at www.firstnightcarlisle.org.

Weitzel said the board is looking forward to the creative designs the contest annually yields, adding that computer-generated designs are not permitted.

The event committee will review the entries and choose a winning design in July.

First Night buttons are sold prior to and on the day of the event and serve as the ticket to various entertainment acts held at venues throughout the borough on New Year’s Eve.

Send contest entries to: First Night Carlisle Button Contest, 44 W. High St., Carlisle, PA 17013. Only one entry per person is permitted. Drawings will not be returned and become property of First Night Carlisle.

Those interested in joining the event board can either call 258-0666, or send an  email to volunteers@firstnightcarlisle.org.
Read more: http://cumberlink.com/news/local/calling-all-young-artists-button-contest-begins/article_442c5ab8-7c72-11e1-a240-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz1qysqPogl

The public is invited to attend the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Cubiculo by the Carlisle Theatre, said John Jensen, current chairman who will be stepping down this year.

Attendance on this past New Year’s Eve was about 2,300 — more than double the previous event in 2009, Jensen said. He said First Night is starting the year off strong, with money in the bank, but needs to fill about six positions on the board, which usually numbers 10-12 people.

“I don’t think people realize it is a year-round effort,” Jensen said, adding the group needs to generate more support from community leaders, businesses, and organizations.

First Night Carlisle is a wonderful organization. Everyone who attends enjoys the program and most come back year after year. But not everyone realizes just how many people it takes to plan such an event; that the admission price is subsidized by donations from friends of First Night and corporate sponsors; and that we are a non-profit organization.

Please do what you can to help First Night Carlisle.

First Night^® Carlisle
950 Walnut Bottom Rd
Suite 15  #170
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone – (800) 381-1394

email: info@firstnightcarlisle.org

And we won’t sell your email address to any other list whatsoever!