The Time Has Come! Do not miss this fabulous celebration welcoming the NEW YEAR with music, dance, magic, storytelling, hypnotism, and planetarium shows, AND a circus,

First Night North turns 31 on Sunday, December 31! It is northern New England's biggest New Year's Eve festival of the arts. It all starts at 3 pm this year so your admission button gets you nine whole hours of live, family-friendly entertainment. You'll see many favorite performers along with 14 acts that are new to First Night.

A tip for families and kids of ALL ages. Be at the St. Johnsbury School auditorium at 3 pm for an amazing new magic show by Alyx the Magician, followed by mesmerizing storytelling, hilarious juggling and unicycling, capped off by a spectacular circus performance by Cirque Us. The Family Fun Fair is also at St. J School from 4-8 pm and the tasty pancake supper.

And there is so much more with 50 different acts featuring over 175 artists in 70 shows. Getting around is easy with free bus service provided by Rural Community Transportation in their new electric buses.

Finally, a crowd will again welcome the New Year with a lively late night Main St. dance party with DJ Will Miller. Twirl your party ribbons in anticipation of the countdown to 2024 when the giant ball of lights rises high at midnight.

The complete line-up of artists and the show schedule, plus a listing of the many food options, is available at www.firstnightnorth.org.

All this is yours for the price of a First Night admission button. Just $30 for adults, and $20 for students, (pre-school children are free). Volunteer helpers also get in free in exchange for taking a two-hour shift.

You can buy button(s) or volunteer online at www.firstnightnorth.org. Or stop by the Catamount Arts box office in the Caplan building on Railroad St. or call 802-748-2600. Buttons and schedule/maps may also be picked up at St. Johnsbury School and at the information booth across from the Post Office on Main St.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - EVERYONE!