Some First Night activities, like ice skating are fun to do with lots of people. Others, like a carriage ride, are best when shared with that special someone. No matter what you chose to do at First Night, adding a little bling—and some blink—will make it even more fun!
Carriage Rides, Reindeer and More!
Ice Skating
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.; Pegula Ice Arena
Back by popular demand, First Night ice skating will take place from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Pegula Ice Arena. Seven Mountains Media will be spinning tunes while you skate along with a 3WZ broadcast LIVE! Skating is FREE with your First Night Button!
This event is sponsored by Geisinger.
Music will be provided by Seven Mountains Media/3WZ.
Carriage Rides
At Mayor Welch Plaza, a carriage drawn by Percheron draft horses will take you back in time as they carry you through downtown State College. Dress warmly – it’s difficult to turn up the heat in an open carriage. Rides are offered from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. Due to high demand, not all of those wishing to ride may be accommodated. Carriage rides are $5 a person and require a First Night Button.
Reindeer
As all American children and adults know, Santa Claus’s reindeer pull a sleigh through the night sky to help Mr. Claus deliver gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Santa’s first eight reindeer, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, were named by Clement Clarke Moore in his 1823 poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas. Rudolph did not join the crew until 1939, though his fame did not become widespread until 1949 when Gene Autry recorded the now familiar Christmas song.
Reindeer, also called caribou, spend the other 364 days a year as residents of the polar regions of North America, Siberia, and Europe. Our friends from Spruce Run Farm in Bloomsburg will be visiting Sidney Friedman Park with two of their reindeer on December 31 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
Buy a Button!
A First Night button gets you into all performances and some activities – for just $15!