First Night!!!

Tacoma, you certainly know how to bring in the New Year!

I had fun this evening hob-nobbing and enjoying the First Night festivities!

Rumor has it that the event sold out of buttons (which there was about 5,000 made), and the performers were all paid. Giving NEXT year's First Night a tremendous boost. I am hopeful that Hanne would be able to attend next year.



Here I am with LeRoy jewelers owner Steph Farber and KING 5 meteorologist Rich Marriot. Rich did an incredible job of counting down to 2008. And is was wonderful for his station to carry such a lengthy story the morning before the event. Steph is a wonderful supporter of First Night, and Tacoma. He was disappointed, in a positive sense, that he was so busy he could not leave his store.



This is J. Bennett Thurmon, who is on the First Night board and was a big part of the evening's programming. I want to congratulate him. The only complaints were: that people couldn't attend everything (because there was so much great stuff to choose from), and those with video cameras ran out of tape. On my left is the famous sweet pea, the volunteer volunteer coordinator. I know that when I arrange my neighbor gnomes to help build a home or raise a barn, it is a tough, tough job. Thank you Mr. pea for your hard work and dedication to making this event a success!



These are two other board members, Kala Dralle and Alicia Lawver. They both work for the city, in different departments, but were strong drivers with their Tacoma passion to see this through. Kala arranged the different emcees, coordinated the instrument "petting zoo" and so much more. Alicia served as the secretary of the board among many other duties.



I enjoyed the fireworks at the end. In all, it bodes well to the future of Tacoma. Cheers to the supporters, volunteers and the community as a whole!