Everything You Need to Know About Portsmouth First Night

Portsmouth area residents know they don't have to just settle for watching the Dick Clark New Year's Eve Party on television to ring in the New Year.

Thanks to Pro Portsmouth, they can enjoy their own rocking New Year's Eve party on Saturday with First Night 2012 and like past years, the last night of 2011 will offer several fun and entertaining activites for the whole family to enjoy.

For example, the Street Dance hosted by WSCA Community Radio will be held in Market Square from 5 p.m. to 12 midnight. Ice sculptures will be created and on display in Market Square in front of the North Church beginning at 1 p.m.

Besides face painting and a magic show, the Connie Bean Recreation Center will also host the Battle of the Bands from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Seacoast Civic Dance Company will perform from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at the Middle Street Baptist Church Hall followed by three performances of traditional Maritime and Folk music by Jeff Warner and Bruce McIntyre from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

At the North Church, T.J. Wheeler and "Company" will perform three shows of blues and rock music between 8 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. These are just some of the many shows and New Year's Eve events that will be happening in downtown Portsmouth.

Inbetween these shows, the First Night 2012 fireworks display will be held over South Mill Pond at 7:30 p.m.

To enjoy all of these shows and concerts, families need to purchase First Night 2012 buttons either during the week leading up to the celebration on on New Year's Eve at various locations.

Thanks to Pro Portsmouth's volunteers and commitment to put on a great New Year's Eve celebration since 1986, Portsmouth area residents will once again have the perfect venue to ring in the New Year.