Celebrate the New Year at First Night Buffalo

24^th annual drug- and alcohol-free event kicks-off New Year festivities downtown

BUFFALO, N.Y. (December 3, 2012) – Plans are underway for this year’s ultimate drug- and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration Independent Health Foundation’s First Night Buffalo^®  from 5 to 10 p.m., Monday, Dec. 31, at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

The Foundation and its sponsors gave a sneak peak of this year’s lineup at a press event Monday at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. The annual holiday family tradition, now in its 24th year in downtown Buffalo, offers family-friendly activities for all ages to ring in the New Year including rides and amusements including comedian and stuntman Wacky Chad, juggler Nels Ross, Terry Buchwald’s tribute to Elvis, Bubblemania, The Red Trouser Show, magician Wade Live, laser tag, costume characters, a toddler area, music and a grand finale balloon drop.

“Thousands of Western New York families have celebrated a drug and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve at First Night Buffalo for nearly 25 years,” said Carrie Meyer, executive director, Independent Health Foundation. “The Independent Health Foundation is pleased to continue presenting this fun, affordable and safe event every New Year’s Eve. We’ve got another great lineup of entertainment we think everyone will enjoy this year.”

“Independent Health is dedicated to engaging individuals and families in their own health and First Night Buffalo is the perfect time to consider making healthier choices for the New Year,” said Michael W. Cropp, M.D., president and chief executive officer, Independent Health.  “This annual drug- and alcohol-free tradition provides a healthy, positive and fun environment for families to start the New Year right. It’s been a mainstay event in Buffalo for nearly 25 years and we’re pleased to present this event each year with our dedicated sponsors and volunteers. We hope to see thousands of families at this year’s event.”

Tickets are now on sale at all area Wegmans locations for $8, which include all rides, attractions and activities. Children ages 2-years-old and under are free. Tickets are $10 at the door. Free parking is available for attendees at the Fernbach and Main Place Mall parking ramps thanks to the Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps, Buffalo Board of Parking.

“First Night Buffalo gives city residents and visitors an opportunity to ring in the New Year in a safe, sober and drug free environment right in the heart of downtown Buffalo,” said Mayor Byron Brown. “As an alternative to the traditional New Year’s Eve parties, First Night Buffalo is a great and healthy event for the entire family to attend. I applaud the leadership at the Independent Health Foundation for its continued effort to improve the health and wellbeing of our city by offering dozens of programs and events, including First Night Buffalo, that help people lead healthier lifestyles.”

For more information and a compelte schedule of events, visit the First Night Buffalo website at www.firstnightbuffalo.org, or call (716) 635-4959. Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/IndependentHealthFoundation to see frequent updates on this year’s lineup.

First Night Buffalo is presented by the Independent Health Foundation and sponsored by Channel 7, Independent Health, M&T Bank, The Buffalo News, VSP Marketing Graphic Group, and Lamar.

Established in 1992, the Independent Health Foundation works to improve the health and well being of Western New York residents through awareness, prevention, education and other programs focused on community health priorities. For more information on the Foundation’s activities, visit www.independenthealth.com/foundation.