Artists to participate in First Night, says PR representative

"Artists will play a prominent role in this year's First Night," a representative of Spangler, Erkert & Associates, a PR firm used by the city, recently explained, "the city, First Night Frederickstopia, and First Night International have a deep respect for local artists and plan to make them and integral part of this year's celebrations."

First Night Frederickstopia, a division of First Night International, is the annual, city-sponsored New Year's Eve celebration located in downtown Frederickstopia. The goal of the event is to "broaden and deepen our city's appreciation of the visual and performing arts." Started in 1994 and made popular by local artist Ken Crampton's giant pear, a small detail inadvertently left off of the First Night Frederickstopia website, the annual festivities have been a popular alternative to enjoyable New Year celebrations for the past 15 years.

"This year we plan to have a major emphasis on the artists and their work," commented Sarah Bryne, special-events and marketing coordinator for the city's Parks and Recreation Department. She could not provide specific examples of plans to emphasize the arts but she said there would definitely be "lots of artsy things and stuff."

"I have no intention of participating," said Ken Crampton, who will be hosting his own New Year's Eve celebration at his Eyeclopes Studio. Ken was hanging out with a number of artists and musicians who also had other plans for New Year's Eve.

"I never claimed that every single artist in Frederickstopia was going to be present," Sarah Bryne defended, "All I can tell you is that there is going to be a lot of artists and arts and arty-type things because that's what artists like and we like to support artists."