Akron's First Night - Sharing our Best and Reveling in Community

New Year’s had always been a bit of a black sheep holiday for me. After the excitement and intensity of Christmas, most of my New Year’s Eves have felt a bit like the leftovers.

This year, though, after years of benign neglect, we finally made our first appearance at Akron’s First Night, which has joyfully redeemed New Year’s from the realm of misfit holidays. From Irish dancers to the tango, from bell choirs to brass, downtown became a kaleidoscope of spirited performance. Or if you like the cold crisp air, watch the ice sculptors at work, take a turn on the Lock 3 rink, shop the Chriskindl, and catch the fireworks. Never mind the home-made Hungarian sausage at Zion Lutheran, a decades-long tradition that the church shares with the community at First Night.

Sometime between that sausage and the ensuing indigestion, something occurred to me that makes First Night matter. Yes, it’s a nice change of pace to actually have something cool and exciting to do on New Year’s Eve. But what makes it meaningful is the shared sense that as a community we’re bringing in the New Year with our best, and bringing it in together—across a wide spectrum of tastes, styles, and beliefs. That combination is a fitting note to end one year, and begin another…that we’re bringing our best to this, and we’re in it together. Here’s hoping you bring that same sentiment into 2009. And here’s an easy resolution to keep—be downtown on December 31, 2009!

To comment on LeaderLog, e-mail Mark at mscheffler@lakron.com.

(photos courtesy of Bruce Ford, City of Akron)