The “power reader” is one of the “giants” made by local artist Michael Magyar on display during Sandwich First Night
SANDWICH – The spring announcement canceling the 2019 edition of First Night Sandwich was premature.
The celebration that rings in the New Year in the town will continue as resident Suzanne Evans has decided to take on the coordinator role for planning the event.
Previous event organizers said they are too exhausted to continue running First Night festivities. The announcement came May 16th after the committee was supposed to create the layout for the popular event.
Evans, who has lived in Sandwich for 26 years, said her experience at the 2018 event and its positive atmosphere led her to keep it going.
“The warmth that you could feel just from the event happening in town was palpable,” she said. “It was very calming. You could see the people were happy. They were smiling. There were lights all over the place. It was absolutely beautiful.”
Evans said her time serving as a Service Unit Manager for the Girl Scouts will help her to head planning efforts for the event.
“I can’t remember how many troops it was but it was a lot,” she said. “We planned events that involved the whole troop.”
Evans hopes to keep the event the same as previous years with glass sculpture displays, clowns, jugglers, musicians, decorations, and more.
She says fireworks may not be an option for 2019.
“Because we are so late, I’m a little bit hesitant about the fireworks just because I don’t know if we are going to be able to have them because of the price,” Evans said.
If fireworks are not an option, Evans has thoughts of a Chinese lantern release.
The first “real” planning meeting for First Night was held last night.
“I’d like to other groups involved,” Evans said. “I’d like to get our veterans involved and I would like to make a focus of the event on our veterans.”
Evans said she is still seeking volunteers for a planning committee that would be made up of about 10 people.
“It doesn’t have to be an every week commitment,” she said. “It is going to mean helping us get out into the community and get things moving.”
Individuals interested in getting involved with the planning process or to volunteer on the day of the event can visit the First Night Sandwich Facebook page or emailing [email protected].
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