Live animals, rides, a laser maze, an American Ninja demonstration and other family-friendly activities will be available at the 27th annual First Night Buffalo this New Year's Eve. On Monday morning, promoters of the alcohol-free event previewed this year's attractions.
The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center will host the annual event, which will run from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on December 31.
One of the new attractions this year is American Ninja Warrior, a program that encourages children's fitness. American Ninja Warrior which will put on a performance at the event. At Monday's news conference, children took part in an obstacle course supervised by American Ninja Warrior's Patrick Hall. This event, along with many others, will encourage guests to participate in physical activity as a means to improve health.
"You can see there's just a groundswell of activity going on across the community to change the culture of health and to change the face of our community," said Dr. Michael Cropp, President and CEO of Independent Health, the company whose Independent Health Foundation is presenting First Night Buffalo.
The program has, for many years, also promoted celebrating New Year's Eve in an alcohol- and drug-free environment.
"We continue to promote the importance of a drug-free lifestyle for all of your city's youth," said Beth Anzalone, program director at Western New York United Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
Also scheduled to appear at First Night Buffalo is Jeff Musial, alias "The Animal Guy," who has brought various critters and creatures to venues including late night TV talk shows. He introduced a one-year-old Brazilian monkey at Monday's news conference.
He told the audience that Toby was perhaps a little annoyed because he was being denied his usual treat of fruit loops cereal, snacking on apple pieces instead in light of the healthy choices theme being promoted.
Buffalo mayor Byron Brown spoke of how his family has enjoyed the event for years and encouraged local families to visit this year's festivities, enjoying an improving downtown Buffalo.
"We are now almost up to six billion dollars of economic development in the City of Buffalo since 2012," Brown said. "There are new buildings, new hotels, there are new restaurants. I encourage everyone in Buffalo and Western New York to come to First Night Buffalo and celebrate the new year with all of us."
Tickets are now on sale. Additional information is available on First Night Buffalo's website. Officials noted that complimentary parking will be available at the Main Place and Fernbach ramps.
