Pittsburgh's New Year's Eve celebration, Highmark First Night, announced the entertainment lineup for this year's family-friendly event. Headlining a concert to ring in the New Year will be Pittsburgh band Rusted Root. They'll be playing on the Highmark Stage starting at 10:45 PM. The concert will run right up to midnight for the count down to the new year. In addition, Cello Fury with special guests Bill Deasy and Bodiography Contemporary Ballet, and House of Soul will perform.
"Highmark First Night Pittsburgh is one of over 200 such events around the world," said Kevin McMahon, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. "It's a family-friendly, alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration. It's a great opportunity to have a lot of fun with the family, and this is the ninth year the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has sponsored this as a division of the Trust."
All events on First Night will be accessible by purchasing a button for $8.00 in advance or $10 on the night of the event, and all events are appropriate for all ages.
"We offer approximately 150 events in 45 venues, 90 percent of which are indoors. We feature hundreds of visual and performing artists from western Pennsylvania and beyond, and over 400 volunteers make Highmark First Night possible," said Darcy Kucenic, Director of Highmark First Night.
This is the ninth year for the Pittsburgh First Night celebration. Organizers say that last year drew record crowds from in and around Pittsburgh and other states.
Highmark First Night begins at 6:00 PM on New Year's Eve in downtown's Cultural District. The parade, featuring Flock of Cycles' bike parade, a stilt-walking band, and giant puppets, kicks off at 8:00 PM.
