Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 to Celebrate 20th Anniversary on New Year's Eve

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced that this year's New Year's Eve celebration, scheduled to take place in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, will highlight the history of Highmark First Night Pittsburgh and commemorate 20 years of the family-friendly community event through special programs and new activities. Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 is produced by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust with generous support from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the event's longtime supporter and returning presenting sponsor. Highmark First Night Pittsburgh provides the city with a chance to ring in the new year while celebrating the arts: dance, music, theater, comedy, magic, visual art and film, plus hands-on activities for children and adults.

"This 20th anniversary year is special. In 1996, one major-daily headline read - 'A New Year's Celebration with the best of Pittsburgh.' We seek to continue that legacy. Highmark First Night Pittsburgh has contributed to the vitality of the city over the past two decades. Through this year's exciting programming, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is able to illuminate how relevant the event was, and continues to be, to the cultural fabric of our city," says Darcy Kucenic, Director of Highmark First Night Pittsburgh for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. "The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is grateful to the vision of former Mayor Tom Murphy and to Jamee Todd, the founder of First Night Pittsburgh. The Trust is also grateful to Highmark for its third consecutive year as the presenting sponsor of the region's largest New Year's event and to all of the event's supporters throughout the years."

This year, nearly 150 arts-focused and family-friendly events will be held in nearly 50 indoor and outdoor venues throughout the Cultural District. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will hold a preview party press event on Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., to announce headliners and specific program details scheduled for this year's 20th anniversary celebration. Details about the all-access buttons, the event's traditional and wearable version of a ticket, will also be announced at that time. Buttons will be available for sale on Friday, November 22, 2013 at TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH, by phone at 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Seventh Street in Downtown Pittsburgh). Buttons will also be available at Giant Eagle locations following the December 4th announcement.

The Highmark First Night Pittsburgh website provides even more event details and allows users to sort through the schedule of events and customize plans. TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH is also mobile-friendly and will allow smartphone users to plan on-the-go during New Year's Eve.

EQUITABLE GAS SING-OFF

Community members are not only encouraged to attend Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014, but also some qualifying youth grades 6-12 will have the opportunity to perform! The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is now accepting applications for the annual Equitable Gas Sing-Off. Equitable Gas and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust are teaming up for the fourth consecutive year to hold a contest for Southwestern Pennsylvania performers. The winner will have the opportunity to perform live as the opening act for the Equitable Gas Marquee Performances at the Benedum Center during Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014, receive a cash prize of $500 and four complimentary Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 all-access buttons. In addition, the winner's school will receive a cash prize of $1,500 designated to the music department, compliments of Equitable Gas Company. To apply, please visit TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH.

SPONSORS & MEDIA PARTNERS

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 sponsors as of release date include: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as the presenting sponsor, Equitable Gas Company, Dollar Bank, First National Bank, Giant Eagle, PNC, and Bobby Rahal Motor Company. New this year, FedEx Ground will serve as the sponsor for the annual parade with special puppets designed by Studio Capezzuti.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 community supporters include The Buhl Foundation, The Fine Foundation, and The Grable Foundation.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 media partners include KDKA TV, Trib Total Media, and WYEP 91.3 FM/WESA 90.5FM. Individuals and families interested in participating in the puppet-making can do so according to the following schedule:

FedEx Ground Parade Puppet-Making Workshops

Puppet making workshops are free, and advance registration is recommended. Both workshops will take place in the Trust Arts Education Center located at 805-807 Liberty Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh.

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