Plenty on Tap for First Night Bradford

Zumba, local talent, a bounce carnival and, of course, fireworks at midnight are all on tap for First Night Bradford.

Activities for First Night Bradford, which promotes an alcohol-free safe environment to usher in the New Year, include something for everyone.

While these activities throughout the day and evening on Friday, Dec. 31, will take place throughout the city, the place to be starting at 11:15 p.m. is Veterans Square. At that time the winners of the First Night’s Got Talent competition will be announced.

Then, under the leadership of WESB/WBRR’s Scott Douglas, there will be a countdown to midnight with a fireworks finale by Young Explosives.

People can see the talent in the First Night’s Got Talent competition first hand from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Singers, dance groups and jugglers are all welcome to still try out for the competition. The final night of auditions will be at 6 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church.

Bob Teesdale, a singer from Nashville, will be on hand as one of the judges in the competition. After his judging duties are over, Teesdale will perform himself from 8:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church sanctuary.

Teesdale will be accompanied by local talent Kaitlyn Hallock and Barb Pedersen during his gig.

An international flavor will be a part of First Night Bradford when Moscow Nights perform from 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. in the Hill Memorial Church auditorium.

These classically trained artists first took Western Europe by storm and now have
brought their dazzling, toe-tapping music to North America.

There will not be a lull in entertainment when Moscow Nights is not on the stage. That’s when Marissa Buchheit and Melanie Bizzaro will take the stage.

Starting at 8:30 p.m., these gifted soprano singers will enchant the audience with Broadway melodies, pop songs, old favorites and current hits. Buchheit is the 2010 winner of the First Night Bradford’s Got Talent competition.

If a capella is more to your liking, check out the Mountain Laurel Harmonizers at 6 p.m. at the Bradford Senior Center.

Comprised of members from the greater Bradford and Olean, N.Y., area, this group is lead by Gina Gabriel and have been entertaining audiences for nearly a decade.

A special blend of talent will comprise the Crook Farm Talent portion of the evening. Ron Reynolds, Don Naughton, Larry Combs, Diana Combs and Caleb Combs – part of the Crook Farm All Stars and the Bradford Senior Center Sunshine Boys – will combine talents a 8:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. at the Bradford Senior Center to play country music with a little taste of 40s and 50s pop.

The Bob Hartle Band, a country favorite, will perform from 7:15 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Grance Lutheran Church sanctuary. Some of this band’s influences are Diamond Rio and Vince Gill.

Fieldstone, a First Night Bradford favorite, will return for another year.

The Celtic music group will perform at 6 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9:45 p.m. at the Church of the Ascension.

From 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Josh Hatcher Band will play at the Grace Lutheran Church sanctuary.

This band favors original rock sounds with hints of reggae, folk, blues and jazz.

The Emery Towers will be the site of many rising stars in Bradford.

Fourteen-year-old Ariel DeFrank will entertain the audience at 6 p.m. at Emery Towers. DeFrank will mainly sing Karaoke style, but will be accompanied by guitar for a few songs.

Ariel Campbell will perform at 7:15 p.m.

Reminiscent of Colby Caillat, Taylor Swift, He is We, and Sarah McLaughlin, Campbell writes songs full of emotion and brimming with hope.

At 8:30 p.m., Megan Prosser will pick up the mic. Her music style is radio acoustic
friendly with a mix of country and pop.

DeeJay Rickman will round out the night at Emery Towers starting at 9:45 p.m. She will be
singing various numbers from classical to musicals to Christian music.

The Drummonds, three generations making a three-part harmony, will perform at 7:15 p.m. in the Church of the Ascension.

Comprised of Pat Drummond, Denise Drummond and Hannah Garrett, this group was one of the top five finalists in the 2010 First Night Bradford’s Got Talent Show.

From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., there will be a Band Hero competition in the activity room of the Grace Lutheran Church. Teen bands will perform between 6 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. in the Grace Lutheran Church Community Center.

Looking for a little New Year fitness? Check out the Zumba demonstration and workshop at the Bradford Family YMCA aerobics studio at 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

Instructor Brittany Rose will lead participants in an easy-to-follow repetitive dance aerobic class, designed to be a party instead of a work out. Zumba® is made up of different dances such as Latin, Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, and American.

A Children’s Bounce Carnival will take place from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the upstairs of the YMCA, which will be packed with an inflatable carnival. Kids can bounce their way into the New Year with mazes and slides.

Kids can then check out Marty’s Bubblegum Machine from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the YMCA Teen Center. This is an interactive show for kids 2 to 12. With hundreds of soap bubbles flying through the air and maybe even some snow, the party never stops. DJ Marty plays kid’s favorites like the Hokey Pokey, Limbo, Chicken Dance, and many others to have everyone in the crowd involved in the show.

Another First Night Bradford favorite is the Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show, which will take place from 7:15 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. in the social hall of the Church of the Ascension.

Bwana Jim is a lively individual filled with enthusiasm and an outrageous wit. He will
bring you the craziest most educational wildlife show ever seen.

A showing of Our Town: Bradford, which originally aired on WPSU in September, will be shown at 7:15 p.m. at the Bradford Senior Center.

In this show, residents themselves told the story of Bradford and showcased the people and places that make Bradford what it is today.

Several restaurants will also be holding First Night Discounts. They are The Option House, Chu-Lee Garden Chinese Restaurant, Great Wall, Kelly’s Restaurant, Sports Café, Togi’s Sub Station, Kennedy Street Café, the Farm family Restaurant and Togi’s Family Restaurant. Refer to your First Night Button for details.

First Night buttons are currently on sale at the following locations: the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, Tops Supermarket, The Grocery Stretcher and Tina’s Hallmark. They can also be purchased at any entertainment site the night of the event.

Children must be accompanied by an adult for First Night activities. Seating at some locations are limited. Arrive early to ensure the best possible seats.