First Night Knoxville, Tennessee 2010: A Family Friendly New Year's Eve Event

As New Year's Eve 2010 approaches many folks find themselves pondering on how to bring in the New Year in a way that is safe for their families and children. New Year's Eve celebrations are notorious for its wild parties and all night soirees, but for families with children a more low-key, family-friendly, alcohol-free setting may be just the ticket.

First Night Knoxville is a New Year's Eve celebration held in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee and was designed with families in mind.

The celebration originated in Boston, Massachusetts in 1976. The event has since expanded both nationally and internationally.

Knoxville held its initial First Night New Year's Eve celebration in 2008 and to great success. This year, the event has grown to several entertainment venues throughout downtown. Party-goers will ring in the 2010 New Year while enjoying a large variety of entertainment that includes musicians, storytellers, magicians, dance groups, puppeteers and a children's festival.

Attendees must purchase a First Night Admission button to attend any of the festivities. The buttons go on sale December 1, 2009 and can be purchased online and at many Market Square businesses as well as Pilot stores. The buttons are $10 in advance or $15 on the day of the event. Kids 6 & under are admitted free. These buttons serve as admission to all entertainment venues associated with First Night and will provide the button holders with great discounts on New Year's Eve and throughout the month of January.

This year there has been an addition of a children's festival that will begin around 3:00 p.m. that will lead up to the evening's celebrations. This festival will lead into the processional that will lead into the opening ceremonies and the night's entertainment. For smaller children there will be an early countdown with fireworks around
9:00pm.

See full itinerary below:

3:00 PM • Children's Festival at the Tennessee Theatre

6:45 PM • Processional from Tennessee Theatre to the Market Square Stage

7:00 PM • Opening Ceremony at the Market Square Stage

7:00-11:15 PM • Entertainment at Multiple Downtown Venues

9:00 PM • Early Kids' Countdown at the Tennessee Theatre with Farmer Jason

MIDNIGHT • New Year's Countdown and Ball Drop at Market Square

For more information on the schedules, sponsors, entertainers, events and celebrations, please visit the First Night Knoxville website at www.firstnightknoxville.com.