Head over wheels

There is probably no better time and place to experience Charlottesville’s renowned community spirit than during First Night Virginia on the Downtown Mall.

Each New Year’s Eve since 1982 throngs of townspeople and folks from throughout the area have come together to enjoy each other and a wide array of entertainment. The 27th installment of the family-oriented, alcohol-free celebration will kick off on Wednesday afternoon and run into the new year.

KatiBalloons will get things going at 2:30 p.m. in the Omni Hotel’s ballroom by creating all manner of things from balloons. A full slate of entertainment follows, ranging from music to dance to daredevils doing somersaults and other aerial tricks while attached to high-flying BMX bikes.

There will even be a “Bubble Wrap Stomp” for the kids at the end of the traditional processional that starts at the Omni at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Night of Possibilities,” which it certainly is with 70 performances being offered.

“First Night Virginia has always tried to have something for just about everyone, but this year there’s just more of it,” said Barbara Lundgren, executive director of the annual event. “We’ve gotten so many more acts in this year that span all the ages.

“We brought in the BMX Bike Show with teenagers in mind. And there’s more children’s programming as well.

“Because we’ve been around for many years, we’ve earned a reputation for being a great event. Because of that we have a lot of top-notch entertainers seeking us out.”

The King Show, which will be presenting the dangerous as well as gracefully beautiful BMX event at the Charlottesville Pavilion at 4, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., is an example of the quality. The performers, veterans of X-Game and Gravity Game competition, are nationally renowned and considered some of the world’s best.

Hypnotist James Munsey is another of the quality performers in this year’s lineup. His show has amazed and delighted audiences from Las Vegas to the White House.

Munsey will perform at the Paramount Theater at 7:30 p.m. and again at 11 p.m. His 11 p.m. performance will carry through into the new year and will have a special twist that won’t be seen during the first show.

Robbin Thompson is this year’s headliner. The recording star will be giving one performance at the Paramount Theater at 9:30 p.m. The Richmond native has shared the stage with such greats as Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Hornsby and Bruce Springsteen.

Thompson was the lead singer for Springsteen’s Steel Mill band and has won the American Song Festival twice. In addition to recording 12 of his own albums, he also has written and recorded songs with Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit.

“Robbin specifically says on his Web site that he doesn’t play gigs anymore unless they’re really going to be fun,” said Chris Munson, longtime booking and production manager for FNV. “It took a little cajoling to get him, because he said he hasn’t played New Year’s Eve for years.

“But he said it sounded like fun and having the opportunity to perform in the Paramount Theater certainly helped as well. All we often have to do when trying to get a big-name performer is send them a link to the Paramount’s Web site and tell them, ‘If you agree to perform, you get to play here.’

“Usually they e-mail us back and say, ‘We want to come. We want to come.’ It’s a great selling point, and the Paramount has been a wonderful partner for us.”

For many years FNV culminated with a midnight fireworks display at Lane Field. A few years ago the time was changed to 9 p.m. so young children could enjoy the spectacle as well.

According to Lundgren the time change for the fireworks display was met with a “tremendous positive response.” But the switch left a void of sorts when the midnight hour arrived.

Local Boy Scout Mark Noble took up the challenge of filling the void. Like countless people around the globe, he was aware of the tradition of the “ball drop” in New York City’s Time Square.

Since 1907 various illuminated spheres have been suspended above Time Square, and then lowered to mark the final minute of the year. Even in 1942 and ’43 when the tradition was cancelled because of “dim-out” requirements brought about by World War II, people still gathered in the square to welcome the new year.

As a salute to this long-held tradition, Mark thought it would be a good idea to start a similar yearend ritual here. To that end he created his own version of a “time-ball” that will be lowered from a crane at Central Place a minute before midnight on Dec. 31.

“Mark will christen the ball and lead the countdown,” Lundgren said. “What he did was take an exercise ball and covered it with recycled CDs so, when we shine a spotlight on it, it will glimmer.

“We think it’s just the coolest thing. In addition to the ball drop, all the music venues will be doing midnight activities as well.”

Something else new this year is the Snowy Day Fund, which people can contribute to throughout the year. Lundgren said bad weather can hurt button sales tremendously, so the fund was created to make up for lost revenue and help ensure that FNV will be around for many years to come.

A FNV button gives the wearer access to all events. For an additional $3, reserved seats can be purchased for the more in-demand performers, such as Thompson, Munsey and the Chickenhead Blues Band.

Before Wednesday, button prices for adults are $15, $8 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children younger than 4. A family pack for two adults and two children is $40. On the day of the event, buttons are $18 for adults and $10 for children ages 4 to 12.

Volunteers always have played an important role in the success of FNV. Anyone willing to give the event two hours of his or her time will receive a free button. To volunteer or get more information, call 434 975-8269.

“First Night Virginia has always been a great way to welcome in the new year,” Lundgren said. “But I think this year, because many of us have had a rough year, it’ll be especially good to come together as a community and celebrate the new year, because we have so much to look forward to.”

For a schedule of events, go to www.firstnightva.org.