Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, December 7, 1999

Release #475-99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/ Edward Skyler (212) 788-2958
Kim Serafin, NYC 2000 (212) 788-2000


MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES FIRST NIGHTŪ NEW YORK CITY 2000

Celebration Offers a Fun, Safe & Affordable Way to Bring In the New Millennium

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced First NightŪ New York City 2000, a low cost, non-alcoholic winter festival on New Year's Eve, for all New Yorkers, as well as visitors and tourists. The Mayor was joined at the announcement by the Chairman of NYC 2000, Ron Sliver; the state chair of MADD New York, Maureen Fisher; and artist Peter Max. The press conference also featured a sampling of the entertainment from First Night, including HBO cartoon characters, face painters, a stilt walker and a samba band.

"First NightŪ New York City 2000 is the ideal place for adults, children and families to ring in the New Year because, like New York City itself, the citywide celebration has fun and excitement for everyone," Mayor Giuliani said. "By giving New Yorkers throughout the City a chance to celebrate the millennium in a non-alcoholic setting right in their own communities, First Night is the perfect way to celebrate in a worry-free atmosphere."

Organized by NYC 2000, the Mayor's Office for the Millennium, the First Night New Year's Eve celebration starts in the early evening on December 31st, 1999, and will last past midnight in different venues throughout all five boroughs. Building on the community and utilizing the talents of the city's thousands of professional and local artists and entertainers, First Night provides a fun, safe and affordable way for families and people of all ages to celebrate the New Year.

At landmark sites in all five boroughs, NYC 2000 is coordinating a celebration that includes dancing, live music, magicians, jugglers, arts and crafts, stilt walkers, puppeteers and storytelling, as well as food and refreshments. In addition, there will be fireworks displays in each borough.

The First Night buttons, designed by Peter Max, allow access into the celebrations in all five boroughs and can be purchased through Ticketmaster, by telephone at (212) 307-7171, online through ticketmaster.com, and at over 70 area retailers including the Wiz, HMV and Tower Records.

First Night has taken place in Manhattan for the past eight years and in Staten Island for the past two. For the millennium, NYC 2000 is bringing this celebration to every borough, and each borough's celebration will have its own flair. Tickets will be $10 and under. First Night is sponsored by Continental Airlines, Cablevision, Time Warner and the Grand Central Partnership. Following is a list of venues for each borough.

Bronx The Bronx Zoo
Brooklyn Grand Army Plaza
Manhattan Lincoln Center, Wollman Rink, St. Peter's, St. Bartholomew's, Museum of the City of New York
Queens Flushing Meadows-Corona Park at the Unisphere, Queens Museum of Art, Queens Theatre in the Park, New York Hall of Science
Staten Island Snug Harbor Cultural Center

For more information on First NightŪ NYC 2000, the specific activities, or how to obtain buttons for admission to the various events around the city visit www.nycmillennium.org or call 212-788-2000.

www.ci.nyc.ny.us


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