Thousands Ring in New Year at First Night Leesburg

By Scott Den Herder

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

By the time the clock tower in downtown Leesburg struck midnight on New Year's Day, the ball in New York already had dropped. Folks in Washington started celebrating a minute or so earlier, too. But somehow, the difference seemed more symbolic than problematic for the Leesburg festivities, which featured many alternative and eclectic performers.

About 3,000 people celebrated at First Night Leesburg, gathering in nine square blocks where organizers transformed a dozen or so buildings into performance venues for more than 100 entertainers.

The diverse group of performers included a dulcimer musician, a puppet show featuring Rufus the Red-nosed Reindog, a Groucho Marx magician and a Chinese storyteller.

“I've found Leesburg to be very accepting and welcoming,” said Linda Fang, who has performed Chinese folktales at the event since the late 1980s. “It's very important for me to share and let them know about Chinese culture through stories.”

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A hay ride is part of the festivities Monday night during the First Night celebration in downtown Leesburg. (Kevin Clark)

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Linda Fang shares traditional Chinese folktales Monday night during the First Night celebration in downtown Leesburg. (Kevin Clark)

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Jack Williams, 9, performs with Karen Lyles Monday night during the First Night celebration in downtown Leesburg. (Kevin Clark)

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Karen Lyles, The Juggling Lady, performs Monday night during the First Night celebration in downtown Leesburg. (Kevin Clark)

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Becky Shore, with Oliver the Macaw of Animal Ambassadors, show and tale Monday night during the First Night celebration in downtown Leesburg. (Kevin Clark)

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The event featured six hours of shows by mainly local dancers, musicians, magicians, puppeteers and poets. Many rooms used for performances filled up quickly. A few performers even attracted standing-room-only crowds.

“It's about community. It's about showing music and enjoying the holidays with people,” said Hannah Wren Dunning, 21, who sang several songs in the crowded sanctuary of a Presbyterian church.

At about 11:30 p.m., people began gathering at the intersection of Market and King streets, passing out candles and sharing flames for the Grand Illumination. Families and friends came together, singing songs and holding lit candles as the clock tower at the courthouse struck midnight.

The event has grown substantially since it began in 1985. Fewer than 700 people came that first year. Since then the celebration has become one of the largest New Year’s, family-friendly events in the area. Attendance was up by almost 1,000 from last year, organizers said.

"It's one of the few places you can bring your kids," said Roxana Jack, who came with her 3-year-old daughter and husband.

The First Night Leesburg was organized by the Bluemont Concert Series, a local nonprofit group that also runs a similar event in Warrenton. More than 100 volunteers donated their time at both locations.

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