As Western New York approaches four years since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the majority of community events have returned to their previous in-person formats.
But First Night Buffalo is bucking the trend.
The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration is remaining 100% virtual for the fourth year of its 35-year history.
The at-home event, put on by the Independent Health Foundation, is an “affordable and accessible” way for families with young children to safely ring in the New Year, said Carrie Meyer, executive director of the foundation.
For 30 years, First Night Buffalo drew 5,000 Western New Yorkers downtown to celebrate with a drug-and-alcohol-free, family-friendly party featuring rides, music and animal shows. But after the pandemic drove everyone into their homes, the foundation wanted to find a way to continue the tradition.
“We wanted to provide hope for people in Western New York that were stuck in their homes and looking for an outlet to engage their children and their families,” Meyer said of the decision to put on a virtual First Night event.
Past participants said they enjoyed having an at-home activity to do with their kids, Meyer said.
…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply