As New Year’s Eve approaches, the City of Bradford knows that First Night Bradford is working to create a night full of festivities to count down to the New Year.

First Night Bradford is a non-profit organization that continues to believe New Year’s Eve is an opportunity for new beginnings. The name “First Night,” came from the organization wanting to remind people to look forward, rather than in the past.

This year, First Night wanted to kick off the New Year with a laser light show, and Ron Orris, executive director of the Philo & Sarah Blaisdell Foundation, was there to help them make it a reality.

Thanks to Orris’s help, the finale was made possible by Zippo and the Philo & Sarah Blaisdell Foundation. The countdown will begin at 11:59 p.m., and then at the stroke of midnight, there will be a laser show by Laser Encore.

“The reason I was so interested in this sponsorship is because these individuals (First Night committee members) have worked so hard for the past 12 months, and we just wanted to do our share,” Orris said.

Prior to the laser light show, there will be many First Night activities.

Some of these include a children’s New Year’s Eve at the Bradford Area Public Library, bowling at Byllye Lanes and skating at the Callahan Park Ice Rink.

There will also be musical performances throughout the night including Kaitlyn Hallock, Marshmellow Overcoat, Witch Hazel and Chris Borland.

Don Martyna and Barb Pedersen are co-chairs with First Night Bradford, and have been working since January putting together a committee of volunteers, booking acts, venues, vendors, holding fundraisers and more to make First Night Bradford happen.

They were thankful for everything that Orris, along with the other sponsors have done to make this and every other First Night celebration possible.

“Without everyone who helped sponsor, the venues, as well as the entire community, this night would not have come to fruition,” Martyna said.

First Night Bradford will begin this Sunday at 11 a.m., with a New Year’s Eve for children at the Bradford Area Public Library, then come to a close with the laser light show at midnight on New Year’s.  

For more information on events and where to purchase buttons, visit www.firstnightbradford.org, or visit the First Night Bradford Facebook page.