Arts & Entertainment

First Night Gets Green Light

At its April 4 meeting Hellertown Borough Council unanimously approved a motion to allow the family-oriented New Year's Eve event to take place in the borough.

Although Mayor Richard Fluck and Police Chief Robert Shupp both expressed some concerns about logistics and public safety, the (HHS) proposal for a First Night New Year's Eve celebration in the borough was unanimously approved by Borough Council April 4.

Society member Gary Fiegel--who headed Bethlehem's First Night organization in the late 1990s--has been instrumental in explaining the concept and the society's plans to council, but was unable to attend the April 4 meeting due to illness, HHS President Earl Hill said.

In Fiegel's place, Hill answered questions and addressed the concerns of staff and council members.

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Hill estimated that the family-friendly First Night could draw 3,000 to 6,000 people to Hellertown on New Year's Eve, but cautioned that the upper end estimate is unlikely to become a reality.

Nevertheless, Shupp said he had some concerns about the police department's ability to maintain order and safety on what is normally a busier than normal night for officers.

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"I'm thinking worst case scenario," he said. "I don't know if we're going to have problems with people trying to sneak beer in."

First Night is by definition an alcohol-free event that features food and entertainment for families, and Hill said that if alcohol were to be sneaked in the event would be shut down.

Fluck said he is concerned about people attempting to cross Main Street in heavy New Year's Eve traffic, in particular "younger kids" and the elderly.

"It's a first for us," he acknowledged, before emphasizing that he is not in opposition to the plan to have Hellertown host First Night.

"My concerns are the traffic, the time of night and young ones out there. And even (the) elderly," he said.

Shupp agreed.

"It's our first time doing it. I would rather err on the side of caution," he said. "It could be 2,000 people show up and it goes off without a hitch."

Councilman John Bate, who also heads Dewey EMS, expressed optimism about Hellertown's prospects for hosting an event that Bethlehem recently decided to cancel in favor of a downtown New Year's Eve party that includes booze.

"I want to see this event go off and see where we go with it," he said.

Council member Stephanie Kovacs, however, said her concerns were about Fiegel and his past performance as the leader of Bethlehem's First Night, which was under the auspices of the non-profit ArtsQuest organization when it was held in the Christmas City.

"The people I talked to (at ArtsQuest) don't really have a fondness for this man," she said, referring to Fiegel.

Hill responded that he is "comfortable" with Fiegel's abilities and experience, and disputed Kovacs' characterization of him as "basically a promoter."

"We are not going to let things go awry on this," Hill responded. "I'll take that responsiblility."

"I'm the president (of the historical society)," he added. "I'm not going to let it go crazy."

Councilman Tom Rieger, who at a previous council meeting had said he feared the logistics of First Night would be too much for Hellertown's staff and police to handle, responded to Hill's declaration by saying, "I'm going to take your word for that."

"I hope it succeeds," he added.

Council President Phil Weber told Hill that he was "a little nervous" and "more nervous...for the society than I am for Hellertown."

After he suggested that an end time for First Night be agreed to, Bate suggested that the event end at 12:30am, which other council members and Hill agreed would be appropriate.

Hill said that although the plans for First Night are still coming together, one idea under consideration is to gather attendees together for a singing of the traditional New Year's song "Auld Lang Syne" at the fountain at midnight.


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