Thousands Expected For Leesburg's First Night

Continuing a 22-year tradition, the streets of downtown Leesburg will be cordoned off New Year's Eve to accommodate the celebration of First Night Leesburg. The family-focused, nonprofit, alcohol-free event invites revelers from all over the county to ring in 2008 with a full night of entertainment Monday, Dec. 31.

More than 100 musical and theatrical performances by 40 different performing groups at 20 downtown locations, as well as vendors, community organizations and strolling musicians will set the mood as 3,000 expected visitors fill the streets.

"It promises to be a great family evening with something for everyone: puppet shows, choral singers, storytellers, bluegrass and country bands, tap dancing, dramatic readings, jazz, rock and roll, gospel, classical and much more," said Peter Dunning, Bluemont president and First Night entertainment coordinator.

Performances will take place at various downtown locations within walking distance of one another. Venues include the old courthouse building, Loudoun County Government Center, Leesburg United Methodist Church, St. James Episcopal Church, Tally Ho Theatre, and the Leesburg Fire Hall. Free shuttle buses are provided between performance sites.

Many local music favorites will be on hand to entertain, including the Master Singers of Virginia, the Arcadians Jazz band, and Gold Heart Bluegrass Band.

One of the more intriguing presentations will be the Marks/Gardiner families' annual performance of folk, classical and bluegrass music to accompany an original shadow puppet retelling of Jack and the Giant. Two of Loudoun's best known representatives of the county's cultural scene, this is the third year the families have teamed up to tell the charming tale. Local artist Joan Gardiner created the shadow puppets with the help of her author husband, John Gardiner, who wrote the script. The Marks brothers composed the accompanying music and perform it each year, singing and playing fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and bass.

Tim Jon and members of the local theatre troupe, Not Just Shakespeare, will perform dramatic readings of Dr. Seuss stories and poems by Dylan Thomas. Another non-musical attraction is McLaughlin the Magician, delighting audiences with his deft sleight of hand.

The special feature of First Night is the midnight Grand Illumination candlelight gathering at the courthouse steps. All performance sites and vendors are closed down by 11:45 p.m. to allow everyone time to make their way to the courthouse grounds. Once there, candles are distributed and lit, and old songs are sung as the courthouse clock chimes in the New Year. "It's really quite a lovely experience," said Dunning.

This year's First Night celebration also kicks off the Town of Leesburg's year-long celebration of its 250th Anniversary, from 1758 to 2008.

The streets of downtown Leesburg will be closed off to vehicles around 5 p.m. and doors will open at First Night sites at 6 p.m., for early evening activities planned with younger families in mind. Street vendors, hayrides and strolling musicians maintain the celebratory mood throughout the evening. Hot refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages for sale by community groups will also be available. Both the county and town parking garages, on Market and Loudoun Streets, offer free parking for visitors.

Admission buttons may be purchased in advance at the Loudoun Museum, Leesburg Pharmacy, Loudoun Visitors' Center or the Bluemont office in Purcellville. Buttons will also be available at the admission kiosks in downtown Leesburg on the night of the event. Buttons cost $8 per adult, $6 for seniors and $3 for children ages 3-12 while children under three are admitted free of charge.

Volunteers are still needed to make First Night a success and families, business or community groups and young people are asked to sign up for various tasks. To volunteer, contact Nancy Reaves at reavesfive@aol.com or call 540-338-3298. One may also contact Lily Dunning at lily@bluemont.org or call 540-338-4640.

First Night Leesburg is a Bluemont community project, supported by the Town of Leesburg, the County of Loudoun and a host of Loudoun businesses and community organizations including: Engle Paxton and Hawthorne; Inner Quest; Presidential Bank; Armfield, Harrison and Thomas, Inc.; Buhl Electric; Dulles Greenway; Inova Loudoun Hospital; Middleburg Bank; Sevila; Sanders, Huddleston and White, P.C.; Updegrove, Combes, McDaniel and Wilson, P.L.C; the Loudoun Times-Mirror; Leesburg Today and others.

For a full schedule of performances and locations, as well as more information, visit www.bluemont.org or call 540-338-4640.