Mayor Menino Announces First Night Celebrations

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — New Year's revelers are again planning to take to the streets of Boston as part of the city's annual First Night celebration.

Mayor Thomas Menino has unveiled highlights of the daylong festival of art, music, dance, ice sculpture and fireworks.

The future of the celebration had been in doubt after the organization that founded and sustained the festivities announced earlier this year that it was closing down because it was broke.

At the time Menino vowed that the show would go on with the help of the Highland Street Foundation.

The annual event typically draws hundreds of thousands from across the greater Boston region. First Night started 37 years ago and has inspired similar celebrations in other cities across the country.

Music headliners include Patti Smith, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell.

It will be the final First Night for Menino as mayor.

All First Night outdoor events are free, and admission to indoor events requires the purchase of a First Night button, which is $10. Buttons will be available for sale in metro-Boston Bank of America branches and CVS stores in early December or you can purchase them online now.

WBZ-TV is the official television sponsor of First Night.

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