If you were planning to attend Williamsburg’s annual New Year’s festivities, you have may to put your plans on hold.
First Night of Williamsburg, Inc. has canceled its New Year’s Eve event after 24 years of operations, according to a news release by the organization.
The group said the lack of available funding as well as struggles to attain the necessary number of volunteers led to the cancellation. The organization cited fewer contributions from local governments, patrons of the arts and corporate sponsorship, according to the release.
“Everyone on the Board has volunteered countless hours to provide a fun, family friendly event for the community,” said Susan Woodcock Tisdale, vice president of marketing and communications. “None of us wants to see that end, but we have to make the tough decision to cancel the event.”
Over the last 24 years, First Night Williamsburg has featured dozens of live acts throughout the city on New Year’s Eve, ranging from puppet shows, musicians, storytellers, magicians, clowns, bands, big band orchestras.
The night typically ends with a fireworks show.
“We’re extremely disappointed, but to continue without adequate funding or volunteers would be irresponsible,” Woodcock Tisdale said.
The group said it had “reduced operating costs” to make the New Year’s Eve event “self-sustaining,” but without adequate volunteers or funding the organization would be “unable to provide the quality experience the community has come to expect,” event co-chairs Chris Odle and John Michael said in the release.
First Night of Williamsburg representatives have said past years attracted thousands of guests from all over the East Coast. In 2012, the event attracted over 6,000 people to the city. In 2008, the organization claims there were about 8,000 visitors.
