First Night: Provo's First Night indoors seems to have worked

PROVO — In a community with plenty of youngsters, the people in charge of Provo's First Night say it works better to have the New Year's Eve party indoors and early.

Apparently, partygoers agree.

Sandy Rowe, one of the chairmen of this year's event, said she's heard only good things about First Night — held in the Provo Towne Centre mall on Saturday night rather than Sunday.

"We thought it was just a great success," Rowe said. "We saw a lot more family participation than in years past. I think we saw a lot more people with their children."

In fact, the event worked so well it appears next year's First Night — which will be on a Monday evening — will also be inside.

Rowe said it worked to have an 8-minute fireworks show at 9 p.m. so that kids could see and another longer, traditional show at midnight.

The booths were busy all evening as children made candy sand toys, masks and had their faces painted.

The children were captivated by the magicians.

Star Wars characters roamed the mall, meeting and greeting those in the crowd.

Live bands played at both ends of the mall and in the underground parking lot.

Amateur performers competed in a karaoke contest.

"That was extremely popular," Rowe said. "I was amazed at the interest and the talent."

"At last count, we used 9,000 buttons. That's easily over 10,000 people," said JaNel Grim, a Provo Parks and Recreation employee overseeing the event. "We filled the mall."

First Night Star competition winners:

1st: Rachael McCall

2nd: JB Ahfua

3rd: Alisha Brown

4th: Peter Van Horn

5th: Janalyn White

6th: Samantha Peredes

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