Officials are finishing preparations for the first-ever downtown New Year's celebration in Salt Lake City - a celebration that will be family-oriented and alcohol-free.
Organized by the Downtown Alliance, a group representing downtown businesses and com-munity leaders, the "First Night" celebration will mimic similar parties held in more than 100 cities nationwide.Many of Utah's best-known visual artists will display their talents at various locations within the central city. Poets and storytellers will read to audiences, performing groups will sing and play, and an ice sculptor will fashion a large clock in the Gallivan Center Plaza, on 200 South between Main and State streets. The evening will end with fireworks at midnight.
Officials expect more than 10,000 people to attend.
A button allowing admission to all the events costs $5 and is available at Dan's Foods, the Capitol Theatre, gift-wrap centers at both the ZCMI Center and Crossroads Plaza, and the Nordstrom customer service office.