Photo by Clay Owen

First Night Knoxville 2009 buttons will be used as admission to the downtown New Year's celebration and are available for purchase at various locations.

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Knoxville is getting ready for its second annual First Night.

According to John Craig, president of the Market Square District Association, this year's family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration promises to be "the biggest New Year's Eve event Knoxville has ever seen." More than 20,000 people are expected to help ring in the beginning of 2009 in downtown Knoxville.

There will be plenty of outside entertainment with a number of bands playing on the Market Square stage as well as food vendors and other activities, such as face painting, balloons, and even a bungee jump.

And this year, there are more than a dozen indoor entertainment stages. From ventriloquists, magicians and puppet shows to the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, a film festival, some slam poetry and improv, and a Cirque du Soleil-type entertainment, First Night promises "a little something for everybody," Craig says.

The indoor entertainment venues will encompass much of downtown Knoxville including the East Tennessee History Center, the Tennessee Theatre, the Farragut Building, the Atrium in the Miller's Building, the TVA Auditorium and the YWCA.

Also new this year is a Children's Festival, which will be held from 3-6 p.m. at the East Tennessee History Center with plenty of entertainment and crafts for youngsters. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a Children's Parade down Market Street to Market Square mall to kick off the evening entertainment.

First Night Admission Buttons can be purchased for $10 through Dec. 30 or $15 on the day of the event. Children 6 and under are free. An Admission Button gets you into all of the indoor entertainment venues and provides discounts on selected outdoor attractions. Craig calls it quite a bargain for the entertainment, which features artists from around the region.

First Night is an alcohol-free event and will continue rain or shine. Festivities will include fireworks at 9 p.m. and will culminate in the traditional countdown and ball drop at midnight on Market Square.

A full schedule of performers, events and venues may be viewed at www.firstnightknoxville.com and copies of the schedule and a map also will be provided the night of the event.

First Night Admission Buttons are available for purchase at area Pilot and Kroger locations, many Market Square District businesses, and online at www.firstnightknoxville.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel
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