First Night St. Petersburg promises spectacular fireworks display

By Luis Perez, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Thomas Zoellar, 11, and Tim Zheng, 8, decorate a shopping cart for the People’s Procession Shopping Cart Parade for First Night.

[JAMES BORCHUCK | Times]

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ST. PETERSBURG — The economy may be dismal, but the New Year's fireworks will be brighter and more spectacular than ever this year.

Last year there was just one main show at midnight for First Night St. Petersburg. Thursday, there will be two: a five-minute display at 9 p.m. and a 10-minute finale to ring in 2010 at midnight, thanks to a donation of services from Creative Pyrotechnics in Orlando.

As in years past, sparkling, explosive shells will announce the hour at 8, 10 and 11 p.m.

"It's probably going to be the biggest show that First Night has ever had," said E.J. Weppel, president of the Creative Pyrotechnics of Orlando.

The company kicked up its program by adding larger shells and more orchestrated sequences. Before and after the fireworks, First Night St. Petersburg will be full of musical performances, children's activities, interactive displays and art shows.

It took extra creativity to put it all together this year, as the nonprofit organization that runs the city's annual end-of-year celebration took in fewer donations.

Organizers say the city's 17th New Year's party won't suffer.

"First Night has always been done on a shoestring. It's just a little bit shorter shoestring this year," said Jennifer Sterling, executive director of First Night St. Petersburg. "We're certainly used to making the most out of what we have."

This time, there is no title sponsor. In 2008, a Pinellas Park eyeglass lens company signed on to be the title sponsor for three years. Transitions Optical has since pulled back on that commitment, making a much smaller donation instead. Last year, Transitions was among 18 major corporate sponsors, including 12 cash donors. Now there are 13 corporate sponsorships, including six who gave cash. One of those is the city, which contributes $25,000.

There are fewer First Night ads this year, too, as a $30,000 marketing grant from the St. Petersburg Clearwater Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau didn't come again this year. A $14,000 donation from the Pinellas County Cultural Affairs department was slashed to $1,800.

Some new sponsors did step up, including BayWalk and Northside Christian School, Sterling said.

Sterling is urging visitors to buy $12 entrance buttons this year. The pins make up 40 percent of the budget, at $130,000 this year. About a quarter of the crowd, estimated at 20,000, buy buttons. Most of the budget goes to pay performers; 24 percent goes to administrative costs.

Said Sterling: "If everybody who came downtown bought a button, the event would pay for itself."

Call (727) 823-8906 or visit firstnightstpete.com.

Reach Luis Perez at (727) 892-2271 or lperez@sptimes.com.

1 First Kids event at BayWalk, 151 Second Ave. N. Musical performers, hat-making, petting zoo, magic, dancing and more. 5 p.m.

2 Ghost Tours of St. Petersburg celebrates downtown's spectres. Tours depart every 20 minutes from Hotel Indigo, 234 Third Ave. N. 8 p.m.

3 Nate Najar Jazz Trio and organist Rick Nay perform at First United Methodist Church, 212 Third St. N. 7 p.m.

4 To the surf sounds of the Hodaddy's, balloon artist Mark Byrne will make his colorful creations at Williams Park, 330 Second Ave. N. 7 p.m.

5 Ragtime pianist Robert Milne plays at St. Peter's Cathedral, 140 Fourth St. N. 7 p.m.

6 The Arioso String Quartet and St. Petersburg Opera Company play at First Central Tower Lobby, 360 Central Ave. 8 p.m.

7 It's a Hula Hoop party. Central Avenue between Second and Third streets closes as the HoolaMonsters perform. 8 p.m.

8 Native American Powwow dancing and regalia making at Bank of America lobby, 200 Central Ave. 7 p.m.

9 New York's David Glukh Klezmer Ensemble performs at the Plaza Courtyard, 111 Second Ave. N. 7 p.m.

10 Make-your-own-bubble maker at Great Explorations "Bubble Blast." South Straub Park, Beach Drive NE. 7 p.m.

11 Pier Aquarium's interactive "Labyrinth of Alternative Energy" at South Straub Park. 7 p.m.

12 Tattoo parlor (the temporary kind) at South Straub Park. 7 p.m.

13 Local acts Dundu Dole and the Florida West Ballet play at South Straub Park. 8:30 p.m.

14 The seven-piece Tampa Bay Steel Drum Orchestra at the Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE. 7 p.m.

15 In a twittered event, artist Thaddeus Root projects images from the Museum of Fine Arts onto the building's large north wall. 7 p.m.

16 Throw your regrets and bad habits into the "Resolution Bonfire" at North Straub Park, Beach Drive NE between Third and Fourth avenues. 8 p.m.

17 Community drumming circle led by Jana Broder, North Straub Park. 8 p.m.

18 Grammy-nominated fiddler and guitarist Al Berard teams with New Orleans accordionist Sammy Naquin to perform Cajun and zydeco music. 8 p.m.

19 Ice skating at North Straub Park. Bring your own socks or buy some for $1. 6 p.m.

20 Waterfront Parks Centennial Celebration, North Straub Park. Pick up a map for the history treasure hunt; come back for a centennial keepsake. 6 p.m.

21 T.A.S.C.O. Teen Stage at North Straub Park. Watch young people from the city recreation department's teen program perform. 7 p.m.

22 Bubble Stomp; lots of bubble wrap at the end of the Pedestrian Parade on Bayshore Drive. 8:30 p.m.

23 Pickford Sundries Bluegrass Band performs at the Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. NE. 7 p.m.

24 The Florida Lyric Opera does New Year's Eve on Broadway, and Soulful Arts Dance Academy and Creative Clay Performance Collective perform. The Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE. 7 p.m.

25 Fireworks ignite every hour beginning at 8 p.m., with shows at 9 p.m. and midnight.

[Last modified: Dec 29, 2009 04:14 PM]

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