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Herald Dawn of New Year Downtown at Middletown's Own First Night

More than 100 performers and activities will span four city blocks on Dec. 31 from 3 p.m. to midnight for Middnight on Main.

 

Middletown will host its second annual an even that is sure to have something for everyone.

It's an alcohol-free family-friendly celebration that rivals that of Hartford's First Night — offering a cornucopia of entertainment, including live musical acts for all tastes. You may even discover a few favorites in the mix.

The best way to enjoy Middnight on Main is either with a smartphone or by picking up the comprehensive brochure once you arrive. With more than 100 performances and activities, like dancing, films, games, circus and magic acts, so much will be vying for attention — and you don't want to miss a thing.

Download the free Middnight on Main at the iPhone App store, Android Market and online at Middnight.org. See a full list of activities here, the schedule here and artists here. Download the map here.

Music includes: Jesse Lége, cajun dance music; Jose Conde, Afro-Cuban; Timbila, a group playing afro pop that was put together by Banning Eyre; Amy Black, country singer; Zikrayat, Arabic music; Love Note Sentiment, men's a capella.

Also, there's Johnny Fox, sword-swallower; Jim Spinnato, comedy hypnosis; The Ear Cave with WNPR's Catie Talarski; films curated by Wesleyan's Marc Longenecker, and film lectures (silent slapstick teams and Hollywood serials).

Hands-on and interactive activities include: speed-chess tournament by the New Britain Chess Club and board games and demonstrations by ConnectiCon; Magic the Gathering card tournament; decorating your own top hat to celebrate 2013; ping-pong; poetry slam; roller skating; physics play and simple machines with Kidcity's exhibit builder, Matt Niland, and robotics with the Mercy Tech Tigers.

If you are on Twitter, start using the #Middnight hashtag now. On Dec. 31, Middletown Patch will be running a live blog and all your Tweets and photos will be pulled into the stream!

There will be a dozen food trucks at the Green Street parking lot:

  • High Tide, gourmet seafood, Madison
  • Lucky Taco, Tex-Mex, Hartford
  • Munchies, Burgers & Fries, New London
  • Big Green Pizza Truck, wood-fired pizza ovens on the truck, New Haven
  • Kettle Corn, made on-site, Durham
  • The Rocket, specializes in local foods, Providence, R.I. 
  • Zen Roasters, coffee, tea and hot chocolate
  • NoRA Cupcake
  • Marilyn's Dancing Dogs (hot dogs)
  • Whey Station, gourmet grilled cheese and soups
  • Ron’s Kitchen, gourmet street food

If you sign up to volunteer at the event for the 9 p.m. to midnight shift, you'll receive a free adult admission button and volunteer T-shirt. Contact (860) 301-6634 or info@middnight.org today to sign up.

At 6 p.m. a rooftop fireworks display will be set off at the corner of Washington and Main streets. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., the front lawn of the Church of the Holy Trinity will feature a stunning Taiko drumming show and midnight ringing of the bells for New Year’s 2013.

Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children, and free for under age 2. Buttons  may be purchased online or at downtown businesses.

Related stories

  • Middnight on Main Promises Festival-goers a Night to Remember
  • Middnight on Main: Two Headliners Return for Second Year
  • Get Your Tickets Now: Middnight on Main 2013

For the latest news and activities in your city, like Middletown Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Frank April 2, 2013 at 11:02 pm
China will take out NK before we will. Not the US with this Administration.
Big K April 2, 2013 at 07:50 pm
In North Korea we have the Same old S - - T as we had with his Father and Grandfather. If they wantRead More to destroy their country, Bring it on! He is nothing but a BIG MOUTH. I feel sorry for the N. Korean people to have such a jerk as this dictator. It is too bad they don't have a good democracy.
Big K April 2, 2013 at 07:49 pm
In North Korea we have the Same ole S - - T as we had with his Father and Grandfather. If they wantRead More to distroy their country, Bring it on! He is nothing but a BIG MOUTH. I feel sory for the N. Korean people to have such a jerk as this dicttaor. it is too bad they don't have a good democrocy
unknownauthor March 31, 2013 at 01:40 pm
I feel fortunate to have such wonderful neighbors who are so kind, helpful, and look after eachRead More other. Lauren Crowley
Paul Ruimerman March 29, 2013 at 08:16 pm
Why exclude the crime scene photos? If those were released you would see some real gun legislationRead More passed when people saw what those bullets did to those little children. The only unconstitutional laws passed so far are the restrictions the NRA has managed to get passed that make it difficult for the government to even trace stolen weapons. When I was young the NRA taught us how to properly handle weapons. Now the NRA is more concerned with keeping their high paying jobs by feeding their members misinformation. If you are a hunter and need more than one bullet to fell your prey, you need target practice.
Jim in Durham March 28, 2013 at 10:36 pm
Agreed,all of it (except crime scene photos) . There is no prosecution to plan,no reason to keepRead More data secret . It gives the impression that people with a agenda are trying to hide something until possibly unconstitiutional laws are passed . Why no word on his medical conditions ? Does Hippa apply after death ?
jake hobart March 28, 2013 at 08:38 pm
All of it should be made public. Lawmakers are crafting new legislation that is going to affectRead More every person in the state. We have a right to know what these new laws are being based on.