First Night rings in 2009

By The Tribune-Review Wednesday, December 31, 2008

March in a parade, make your own noisemakers, learn how to hustle, try your hand at some magic tricks and enjoy the sounds of all varieties of music during Pittsburgh's annual First Night celebration on New Year's Eve.

The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with the Children's Fireworks, for those who can't make it to ring in 2009, and concludes with the raising of the "Future of Pittsburgh" ball starting at 11:45 p.m. at Penn Avenue Place and more fireworks at midnight.

In between the two pyrotechnic displays, there will be at least 125 family-friendly events -- dance, music, comedy, theater and the visual arts -- at more than 40 locations throughout Downtown's Cultural District. While running between buildings might be a little chilly, the Cultural Trust says that 92 percent of the activities are inside.

The theme for the Target First Night Parade, which kicks off at 8 p.m. at 10th Street and Penn Avenue, is Our Wild Planet. Get an assignment to help with one of the parade puppets by stopping by the information table on 10th Street under the David L. Lawrence Convention Center before 7:30 p.m.

A First Night Button, available for $8, will get you into most of the activities. A few shows, such as Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pittsburgh Symphony Brass at the Byham Theater, require free vouchers because of limited seating.

It's almost impossible to see all of the First Night events. Here are the details on some of the activities to help formulate a plan of attack.