First Night draws thousands

It seems like $20 won’t buy much these days. But for the Rosen-Cochrane-Krow family, it was just enough to purchase an entire evening of free concerts, celebration and creativity.

“And we get to march in a parade,” said Amanda Cochrane, 9. Her sister, Natasha, 8, and brother, Mordecai, 6, couldn’t agree more.

“I have a new drum, ratta-tatta-tatta-tat,” Natasha sang out, while beating on the white plastic bucket strung around her neck.

Wearing bright orange masquerade masks decorated with jewels, ribbons and glitter, the children and their mother, Lynn Rosen, and soon-to-be stepfather, Neven Krow, marched down the streets of downtown Spokane with hundreds of other people for the fourth annual First Night Grand Procession.

The short parade, which ended in Riverfront Park, kicked off First Night Spokane, an annual alcohol-free family festival. The biggest New Year’s celebration in town featured hundreds of visual and performing arts exhibits throughout downtown.

As part of the Kids Night Out at First Night, children spent a few hours before Friday’s parade making hats, masks, drums, and rain sticks from paper plates.

After the parade, families spread out, walking from one vendor to another, listening to music and watching artists at work. Performing and visual artists wait in venues stretching from Lewis and Clark High School to River Park Square.

Dan and Julie Chase, of Spokane Valley, brought their 5-year-old grandson, Connar, to the festivities on New Year’s Eve 2003. They were so impressed that this year, the couple brought Connar, his parents and the newest addition to the family, Aiden, who just had his first birthday.

“Spokane really knows how to do a celebration,” said Connar’s mother, Jennifer Chase. “The kids are running and playing, having a great time. You can’t beat it.”

First Night Executive Director Chris Martin said about 23,000 people were expected to participate Friday night, about the same as the previous two years. An official count of First Night buttons sold won’t be available until Monday, he said. Those $10 buttons are the ticket into all First Night events.

“At least the weather is better (than last year). It’s nice; it’s a beautiful night,” Martin said. “It was a lot colder last year, and it was snowing and icy.” According to the National Weather Service, the temperature hovered in the mid-20s Friday night, with a chance of snow that hadn’t materialized, at least by 11 p.m.

Not that anyone would have noticed if it had snowed.

Most people were riveted by the many colorful artistic displays or drawn by music to various buildings. It was hard to go far without hearing a drumbeat.

In front of Post Street Gallery, onlookers gathered to watch through a window as glass blowers Stacey Miotke and Josh Barnes crafted their pieces with fire and steel.

The artists were with Glass Gods, a Spokane Valley store that sells hand-blown glass, which was making its first appearance at First Night.

“We love it so far,” said Lori Bohr, who owns the store with her husband, Tim.

Down the street, bonfires burned, and people gathered to watch the ice sculptors.

About 9 p.m. the crowd started to migrate toward Riverfront Park, where Cirque de Flambe, which bills itself as the world’s only vaudeville fire circus, performed a pyrotechnics display.

Four-year-old Nicholas Morin had the best seat in the house. Atop his father’s shoulders, he clapped and cheered. The Morins just moved to Spokane from Colorado Springs, Colo.

“We’re having a great time,” said Nicholas’ dad, David Morin. “But next year we’ll have to start a little earlier.”

A countdown to midnight was planned with a fireworks finale in the park.

“But I don’t think he’s going to make it,” Morin said, looking up toward his son. “Maybe next year.”

Activities continue today, as First Day Spokane, which includes free admission to the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and discounted tickets to River Front Park’s Ice Palace, Imax Theater and Carrousel for those wearing First Night buttons.