'First Night' Fun Is on the Horizon

First Night begins on the last day of the year.

This Dec. 31, the annual Alexandria event culminates when 6,000 Ping-Pong balls are dropped on revelers during a laser-light show at the .

There’s also a dance party on the memorial lawn beginning at 10 p.m. but earlier in the evening, party-goers can enjoy one of the 100 live performances at 18 indoor venues scattered throughout Old Town beginning at 7 p.m.

Prior years have included fireworks but the fire marshal became concerned when some embers drifted off the memorial last year and so requested that there are no fireworks this year, according to Ann Dorman, whose firm Meetings and Events of Distinction organizes the event.

Midnight partiers at the memorial should grab a ball and can post a picture of themselves with the ball and their admission badge on the First Night Facebook page to win prizes.

Additionally, this year’s afternoon festivities include the third annual Fun Hunt between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. with questions crafted by senior Lauren MacCracken. The hunt, which starts at the , takes participants around Old Town to search for clues with a George Washington theme and the winner gets a prize.

It takes about 125 volunteers to help the whole event run smoothly through the night. Currently, the event has about 50 signed on to help.

“A lot of the volunteers are couples who volunteer together, but a lot of singles have said it’s a great way to meet people,” Dorman said.

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. there are free crafts activities at the and the is hosting for $6 kids who want to create a necklace and other crafts. There are a variety of other kid-friendly events such as a moon bounce, face painting, magicians and story times throughout the neighborhood.

Dominion and Dominion Green Power have purchased renewable energy certificates on behalf of the event.

First Night passes are available for $15 until Dec. 19, when the price increases to $20 a pass. Kids 12 and under are free. Volunteers get a free badge to participate in the event, along with a box dinner and an apron. For those interested in volunteering, or to find out more about the day’s schedule and to buy admission badges, to go firstnightalexandria.org.