Columbia's First Night carries on

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Doomed in some cities by shortages of money or volunteers, First Night activities will go on as scheduled in Columbia on New Year's Eve with fireworks, new performers and a laser light show.

At least 20 cities nationwide have canceled their First Night celebrations this year, leaving about 180 continuing with the alcohol-free community event.

In fact, Columbia organizers expect the turnout Monday night to top last year's version, when about 4,500 people visited the downtown venues in single-digit temperatures.

Susan Ramey, co-director of Columbia's First Night, said organizers of the city's seventh annual celebration have had no trouble attracting sponsors or volunteers.

"We're doing fine," Ramey said. "I think people want to get out and come together as a community."

A group of artists held the nation's initial First Night in Boston in 1976. About 200 cities across the country and in Canada, New Zealand and England have staged First Nights as well.

But the sagging economy and the national mood following the Sept. 11 attacks led to scattered cancellations this year. In St. Louis, the event was called off for the second straight year.

Columbia's organizers never considered canceling their version and drew praise from residents happy to see that the terrorist attacks could not derail scheduled activities.