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Images courtesy of First Night Buffalo
Images courtesy of First Night Buffalo

First Night Buffalo to host virtual New Year's Eve celebration for families

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Mon, Nov 29th 2021 07:00 am

Event kicks-off Independent Health Foundation’s 30th anniversary celebration in 2022

√ First Night family party packs sold at select Tops Friendly Markets beginning in early December

“First Night Buffalo at Home,” sponsored by the Independent Health Foundation in partnership with Oishei Children’s Hospital, will feature an entertaining lineup of performances and activities accessible online at www.firstnightbuffalo.org the evening of Dec. 31. First Night family party packs will go on sale at select Tops Friendly Markets in early December.

“As we look forward to a joyful holiday season, we’re excited to bring you ‘First Night Buffalo at Home’ through virtual access to our entertaining lineup of performers at no cost – and the family party packs available at Tops Friendly Markets as an affordable add-on to the online performances,” said Carrie Meyer, executive director, Independent Health Foundation. “The roots of the Independent Health Foundation originally grew from First Night Buffalo 30 years ago, and we look forward to continuing to help our community get and stay healthy for many years to come.”

First Night Buffalo, one of the Independent Health Foundation’s signature events, will mark its 33rd year as an event full of activities and entertainment for the entire family. As the event that led to the establishment of the Independent Health Foundation in 1992, First Night marks the beginning of a year-long celebration of the Independent Health Foundation’s 30th anniversary in 2022.

“Our priority remains keeping our community’s kids safe and healthy, so we are excited to once again partner with the Independent Health Foundation to bring a safe New Year’s celebration opportunity to families in Western New York,” said Allegra Jaros, president, Oishei Children’s Hospital.

A full virtual lineup of activities and video performances will be announced in early December.

First Night Buffalo Family Party Packs

Beginning in early December, families can purchase First Night Buffalo family party packs for $20 at participating Tops Friendly Markets with everything a family of four needs to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home – and include free admission to the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights in Hamburg. Kits contain: party hats, noisemakers, juggling scarves, a disco ball lightbulb, neon facepaint, temporary tattoos, balloon drop, glow sticks and balloon animals.

The First Night Buffalo family party packs will also be available when making online purchases at Tops by visiting the e-catering site at www.shop.topsmarkets.com.  

The first-ever virtual First Night Buffalo last year was an incredible success, with:

√ Nearly 24,000 family members throughout Western New York viewing the virtual entertainment;

√ Nearly 7,000 celebrating New Year’s Eve with the First Night Buffalo family party pack; and

√ More than 95% of families who participated in First Night last year responding to a survey asking for a virtual entertainment program again this year.

Independent Health Foundation Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2022

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 about the Independent Health Foundation’s activities, visit www.independenthealth.com/foundation.

The Independent Health Foundation was founded in 1992 after the original organizers of First Night Buffalo asked Independent Health to become a sponsor. After the third year of First Night, the Independent Health Foundation was founded to begin producing the event – and has continued to do so for the past 30 years.

The Independent Health Foundation will celebrate its 30th anniversary with events and activities beginning with “First Night Buffalo at Home” and throughout 2022.

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