| History of First Night Hazleton |
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In 2001, Hazleton became a member of First Night® International The city joined nearly 200 communities who provide this exciting, non-alcoholic, family friendly New Year's Eve celebration to their residents. With approximately 2,000 people attending the inaugural event, First Night® Hazleton is poised to become a great new tradition for the residents of the Greater Hazleton Area, Luzerne County, and beyond. After taking office in 2000, Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta and his administration dedicated themselves to revitalizing and bringing back pride and hope to the City of Hazleton. Following a year of digging the City out of a financial crisis, the Barletta administration was able to refocus its energies on providing new and exciting opportunities to the citizens of Hazleton and the surrounding communities. First Night® fit perfectly into this plan. Mayor Barletta appointed Lena Kotansky, the City's Economic Development Officer, to be First Night® Hazleton Coordinator. She works with a team of approximately 20 dedicated volunteers, who form the First Night® Hazleton Core Committee. Michelle Patterson, who is retired from the children's entertainment industry, serves as Committee chair. Committee members represent community minded agencies, such as United Way of Greater Hazleton, the Greater Hazleton Volunteer Center, Serento Gardens Alcoholism and Drug Services, the Greater Hazleton Ministerium and the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. Representatives of major event sponsors, such as First Federal Bank, the Hazleton Standard Speaker, Fleet Bank, the Luzerne County Visitor and Convention Bureau, and PPL also serve on the committee. Several community volunteers and local artists round out the committee. First Night® Hazleton is the only official First Night® event in Luzerne County. It joins the community of Scranton in providing this alternative New Year's Eve event to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is the goal of the First Night® Hazleton Core Committee to offer our community an event that is accessible and affordable to all. The performances that are selected each year are meant to offer a wide variety of culturally diverse and artistic choices, so that all who attend will be sure to find something that appeals to their taste. First Night® Hazleton would not be possible without the support of its generous corporate and foundation sponsors, the local media, and the hundreds of volunteers who give of their time on New Year's Eve and throughout the year. A special thanks is also extended to the Hazleton City Police, Fire and Public Works departments, whose cooperation is invaluable to the implementation of a successful event. Contributions are appreciated and tax-deductible gifts can be made to First Night® Hazleton through the Luzerne Foundation. |