Drawing residents and visitors into its downtown has been a perennial goal of many planners, officials and store owners in Bennington, Vt., and that tradition continues with the upcoming Bennington First Night celebration, an eclectic event to celebrate both the new year and to spend time among neighbors on a busy Main Street.
An outgrowth of the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Better Bennington Corporation, First Night Bennington, now in its fifth year, continues the spirit of downtown activity that characterizes the weekly “Summer in the Park†series held each summer. Drawing guests young and old to enjoy local and regional performers, the event welcomes those who want to spend the night in one fun-filled spot rather than navigating often dangerous roadways. Sponsoring venues are emphasizing safety and good health by making this an alcohol-free event, and one to be enjoyed by families. In many cases, three or even four generations can be found at the First Night event.
This year’s celebration will be held from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, throughout the downtown. Guests must purchase a button, which allows access to all the events. After Dec. 25, the buttons cost $10 each.
The popular Woods Tea Company will headline the entertainment offerings with their Irish folk songs, sea shanties, fiery Celtic tunes and dry humor and stage presence. Playing numerous venues each year across the country, they are a welcome guest at this year’s event, according to a statement from Entertainment Director Gerry Nason.
Local artist Moe Harrington and his White Chapel Old Tyme Country Band will be playing country and western tunes, based on a love of the folk tradition, a sprinkling of Nashville and reverence for the good old days of Vermont. Harrington’s voice and guitar playing are accompanied by fiddle, bass, mandolin, dulcimer and banjo, for a down-home sound.
Newcomers to the festival, Blue Hand Luke will provide an array of rock music for the dancing set. The quintet hails from the Albany, N.Y. area and includes three vocalists and a prominent guitar element. They will be playing songs both by their own pen as well as familiar covers of rock classics. Called “the hottest band in the capital region,†they will take the stage during the middle of the show.
After a great performance at the Summer in the Park series this past summer, One Love Reggae band returns to the Bennington area to bring their unique bland of rhythm and blues, reggae and calypso for those seeking a world-influenced beat. The well-known group plays primarily in Western New England, at colleges, night clubs, music festivals and private venues. Their music will show what a fresh instrumentation can do for classic tunes from the pop and rock and roll traditions.
Acoustic folk-rock player Tom Corrigan rounds out the performance with his up-tempo acoustic music, which combines traditional folk rock with his own savvy songwriting. Another veteran from the Summer in the Park series, Corrigan blends soulful singing with a sense of humor and insightful lyrics.
Besides the music, the First Night event will showcase a variety of local talent, including a comedy magic show, a puppet show, storytellers, a one-man circus act, wild animals, and a comedian. To get a First Night button, or more detailed information about the event, call the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce at (802) 447-3311.
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