First Night Fayetteville moves to the mall
A change is coming to our local New Year’s Eve celebration. First Night Fayetteville is moving north to the NWA Mall. The event normally takes place during Lights of the Ozarks on the Fayetteville Square.
According to organizers, the move is part of an effort to help the event become more regional in scope and therefore, a more central location was necessary.
Besides some of the more traditional acts such as Imagination Station and the familiar puppet parade, this year’s event will bring a few new things to the table along with a “Paint the Town Green!” theme which encourages the artists to use recycled materials.
As far as live music, Big ‘Uns and Afrique Aya are already booked and a handful of other locals will most likely fill in the gaps.
Moving the event to the mall sounded a little weird at first. I mean, there’s something really charming about hanging out at the local town square on New Year’s Eve but if this thing needs growing room, then a move is probably a good thing. Of course, having access to the AMP doesn’t hurt, either.
What do you think? Are you a fan of Fayetteville First Night? Or do you scoff at the idea of an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration?
[More at fayettevillefirstnight.org, nwaonline.net, nwanews.com]
Comments
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Rebecca
November 17, 2008
I’m a big fan of First Night, and I’m disappointed about the move to the mall. It seems to me that it’s a bad choice for local families and businesses.
Is the mall actually bigger than downtown Fayetteville?
Total Bastard
November 17, 2008
Bigger? By counting leased square feet of retail space, no doubt the NWA mall is bigger than downtown Fayetteville, in a retail sense.
Better? Hell no.
It will be warmer, though.
Danny
November 17, 2008
I say keep it at the square, their is something about the SEASON of cold weather, christmas lights, and hot coffee/coco. Why put something so seasonal and close to peoples heart in a place of overly priced CRAP!!! I think we have some Idiots on this board of Organizers!!!
Alannah
November 17, 2008
I understand, in theory, wanting to appeal to NW Arkansas as a whole…but what about keeping something that is special and unique to downtown Fayetteville? Is anyone suggesting moving the temporary holiday ice skating rink on the Bentonville square to, say, Springdale to appeal to NW Arkansas as a whole? Not to mention that this will adversely affect the downtown Fayetteville businesses. The figure I’ve read is that if one were to spend $100 at a non locally-owned business, $17 is recycled back into the community versus $45 at a locally-owned business.
George
November 18, 2008
I think this move is an absolutely awful idea. It really crushes the things that most appeal to me about First Night…the atmostphere, the sense of community, the lights! The mall? Puh-leez!
It seems like I remember hearing about funding cuts as well TD.
Angel Lust
November 18, 2008
2007 – a nice hot rum drink to warm up the birsk cold air with my wife and several of my friends on the square as 2008 comes in.
2008 – an Auntie Annie’s pretzel and diet coke with half of Springdale watching teenagers shop at Abercrombie and Fitch. Keep it funky, Fayetteville.
Total Bastard
November 18, 2008
Frulatti cafe not funky enough for ya?
Hipsters…. :rolleyes
Boggy Creek Creature
November 19, 2008
Everything north of Joyce is Springdale.
Angel Lust
November 19, 2008
Its not about being hip.
Its about having a distinctive community identity.
Its about having an event in which residents can participate that gives them a sense of unity and individualtiy, rather than a bunch of consumers in a mall that has been duplicated in thousands of cities across the country.
Total Bastard
November 19, 2008
I know, I was just being a smart ass bastard.
It sucks. But money talks.
Total Bastard
November 19, 2008
Will the Barber Group flaming pig ball be set up in the food court?
Boggy Creek Creature
November 20, 2008
I do believe that my post this morning included the phrase “Fu@k the mall!”
However, I don’t see it here now. The rest of my comment still exists, though.
In the nightbird books post I said “blows” in my comment.
So, may I be allowed to say “Blow the mall”?
Does that get past your moral filter?
angel lust
November 20, 2008
Or you might expand your vocabulary.
George
November 20, 2008
I thought it was okay to say “f@ck”. Could we get a ruling please?
angel lust
November 20, 2008
I got no problem with it. I find the more interesting to f@ck IN the mall, but that’s just me.
Farrah
November 23, 2008
Auntie Anne’s went out of business a few months ago. Sad times. I miss the Pretzel Dog.
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