First Night
New Year, New Website Launched
Posted: November 27, 2012
Out with the old, in with the new, say First Night Harrisonburg organizers.
Although the event will commemorate 20 years of family-friendly festivities in downtown Dec. 31, this year, organizers are celebrating with a revamped web presence, a heart for those needing hope and a new location.
Website Redesign For 2013
Helping herald the new year is First Night’s redesigned website.
While the previous years’ sites were not as user-friendly, says First Night Executive Director Terry Burkhalter, the revamped 2013 online resource more easily presents the events and entertainment lineup, as well as newsworthy updates and options for volunteer sign-ups.
Some of those attractions include Rockabilly ’50s music from Wren Magnum, rock by the Judy Chops, the Harrisonburg Harmonizers’ barbershop harmonies, bagpipe music by the Shenandoah Valley Pipe Band and Mark Nizer juggling.
Theater performances by Ted and Ingrid, as well as Jessica Crawford’s inspirational folk music and magic by Tobini Magic, will return by popular demand. DJ Nathan King will once again provide the soundtrack on Court Square.
New Year, New Hope
Also new this year, First Night will partner with the National Marrow Donor Program to host a bone marrow registry drive, according to Stephanie Hutchinson, First Night board president.
“New Year’s Eve is a night filled with hope and promise,” she says. “However, for many people, unless they receive a miracle, there is very little hope.”
Most leukemia patients in need of a bone marrow transplant rely on “Be the Match” registries to find a life-saving donor, says Hutchinson. She encourages revelers ringing in 2013 to take 10 minutes to become “someone else’s promise and hope for a new year.”
Participants will fill out paperwork, and then trained volunteers take a simple cheek swab sample.
The cause hits especially close to home for Kim Kirk, special events manager for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and First Night board member. In 2011, her mother was diagnosed with Stage II Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow.
Knowing firsthand the impact transplants have on blood-related cancer recovery, Kirk says the First Night registry drive “has the power to contribute to someone’s cure by connecting patients with donors.”
She hopes the drive will raise awareness of cancers that can be treated with marrow donation. “Attendees can kick off the New Year by giving someone else hope,” she says.
Those interested can stop by the First Night headquarters at One Court Square, home of the Harrisonburg City School central offices. Here, volunteers will also report for duty, and admittance button sales will begin at 5 p.m.
Buttons may be purchased in advance; for more information, visit www.firstnightharrisonburg.com.
Although the event will commemorate 20 years of family-friendly festivities in downtown Dec. 31, this year, organizers are celebrating with a revamped web presence, a heart for those needing hope and a new location.
Website Redesign For 2013
Helping herald the new year is First Night’s redesigned website.
While the previous years’ sites were not as user-friendly, says First Night Executive Director Terry Burkhalter, the revamped 2013 online resource more easily presents the events and entertainment lineup, as well as newsworthy updates and options for volunteer sign-ups.
Some of those attractions include Rockabilly ’50s music from Wren Magnum, rock by the Judy Chops, the Harrisonburg Harmonizers’ barbershop harmonies, bagpipe music by the Shenandoah Valley Pipe Band and Mark Nizer juggling.
Theater performances by Ted and Ingrid, as well as Jessica Crawford’s inspirational folk music and magic by Tobini Magic, will return by popular demand. DJ Nathan King will once again provide the soundtrack on Court Square.
New Year, New Hope
Also new this year, First Night will partner with the National Marrow Donor Program to host a bone marrow registry drive, according to Stephanie Hutchinson, First Night board president.
“New Year’s Eve is a night filled with hope and promise,” she says. “However, for many people, unless they receive a miracle, there is very little hope.”
Most leukemia patients in need of a bone marrow transplant rely on “Be the Match” registries to find a life-saving donor, says Hutchinson. She encourages revelers ringing in 2013 to take 10 minutes to become “someone else’s promise and hope for a new year.”
Participants will fill out paperwork, and then trained volunteers take a simple cheek swab sample.
The cause hits especially close to home for Kim Kirk, special events manager for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and First Night board member. In 2011, her mother was diagnosed with Stage II Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow.
Knowing firsthand the impact transplants have on blood-related cancer recovery, Kirk says the First Night registry drive “has the power to contribute to someone’s cure by connecting patients with donors.”
She hopes the drive will raise awareness of cancers that can be treated with marrow donation. “Attendees can kick off the New Year by giving someone else hope,” she says.
Those interested can stop by the First Night headquarters at One Court Square, home of the Harrisonburg City School central offices. Here, volunteers will also report for duty, and admittance button sales will begin at 5 p.m.
Buttons may be purchased in advance; for more information, visit www.firstnightharrisonburg.com.
Contact Samantha Cole at scole@dnronline.com or 574-6274