Vince and Marty Meeker served as back-up ushers at E.J. Thomas Hall at the inaugural First Night Akron on New Year’s Eve in 1996.
They enjoyed it so much, they volunteered for the annual event again. And again. And again.
The Meekers have helped with Akron’s downtown New Year’s Eve celebration every year since its inception, serving at lots of different venues, and most recently as the site coordinators at Greystone Hall.
“I really think they have a great thing going,” said Vince Meeker, 57. “There’s such a wide variety of programs. Each year it keeps getting better. ... We’re both honored to be part of it.”
This year’s 20th-anniverary First Night falls at a time when the future of the event that draws thousands of people each year is being studied and just after CLE Rocks, Cleveland’s counterpart, was canceled because of funding problems.
Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is taking a close look at First Night as part of an overall examination of the nonprofit organization and its future direction. First Night’s attendance has dropped to about half what it was at its peak in the late ’90s — to 14,000 to 15,000 people — and finding outside funding has become more difficult.
Keeping it fresh
DAP leaders have tried to keep First Night fresh by bringing in new attractions and performers each year. Based on the reception the performers and attractions get, organizers decide whether they should be tried again and if they should be in the same venue or move to a new location.
“We want to provide a blend of programming,” said Suzie Graham, who heads DAP. “We are sensitive to attendance counts and who to invite back. We want to make room for new performers.”
Graham said some performers have followings and people want to see them each year. She said Hard Day’s Night, a Beatles tribute band, for example, didn’t perform at First Night last year “and we heard about it.” The popular band will return this year, performing at the Akron Civic Theatre.
A few of the more unique First Night attractions tried over the years include a magnetic dragon that sailed the canal, a giant Lite-Brite, and a huge inflatable whale that attendees could walk inside. The whale attraction also featured 100 flying Air Swimmers fish that people could fly. Though the whale was popular, the flying fish flopped.
“We assumed you could just hand them off,” Graham said of trying to operate the fish. “No!”
First Night has had a few challenges over the years, including one year when the electricity went out on the main stage just before midnight.
“The crowd understood,” said Sharon Gillberg, DAP’s communications director. “We figured it out.”
Organizers say the weather and the day of the week when the holiday falls are big predictors of the crowd size for the event. In recent years, attendees have waited to buy their admissions buttons until they see the forecast, often not purchasing them until that night. This frustrates DAP leaders who think people shouldn’t let the weather scare them away.
“It’s OK to play in the cold,” Graham said, laughing.
New this year
It’s too early to predict what the weather will be like for this year’s First Night event, though the recent milder temperatures could bode well.
This year’s event will feature 10 venues and 72 attractions/performers.
The new plans include:
• Silent disco: Attendees can don headphones and choose one of three styles of music to dance to under LED lights and a disco ball. This has been a hit in Las Vegas and other cities.
• Goodyear ice sculpture garden: Featuring 20 ice sculptures representing the button design for each year of First Night. Three carvings will be done on site.
• Laser light show: Rather than the early fireworks that have been offered in past years for children, a laser light show will be done at 9 p.m. The later fireworks show is still on for midnight.
• Adult beverages: After 9 p.m., beer and wine will be served at the Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Art Museum and Lock 3. The event has previously been alcohol-free.
“We’re going to kind of see how that’s received,” Gillberg said.
Helping with the event this year will be 300 volunteers. Among them will be the Meekers, the faithful every-year helpers who will greet people at the door of Greystone.
First Night is so special to the couple that they renewed their wedding vows at the event in 2012 when they celebrated their 24th anniversary. Vince Meeker arranged the nuptials as a surprise after the couple finished their volunteer shift that night.
“It completely surprised her,” he recalled. “That adds to the whole special feeling that we have for First Night.”
Meeker said his only complaint about First Night is that it’s only once a year.
“If there was no First Night, I think we would be really depressed,” he said. “I wish it was also on Fourth of July. We look forward to it every year.”
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @swarsmithabj and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/swarsmith. Read the Beacon Journal’s political blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/ohio-politics.