Since many people consider this the last New Year's Eve of the millennium, they have made plans to be in other parts of the world to celebrate.
Some will trek to the Pyramids in Egypt, others will find themselves in Spain, Japan, Mexico and Las Vegas.Others will venture as far away as Ogden, Provo and Cache Valley. And this year, St. George is presenting its first ever First Night.
But, according to Merle Marsh, program director for Salt Lake's seventh annual First Night, the Capitol City is the place to be.
"That was something we looked at when we were planning this year's First Night," said program director Merle Marsh. "We needed to make this year's celebration something that people would want to experience. So we, in a sense, decided to bring some of the world to downtown Salt Lake City."
And since it's the last year in the 1900s, the First Night staff decided to go all out.
"We've asked artists that represent the city's diversity to take the stage at the Salt Palace this year," said Marsh. "Last year we brought swing music to the party. This year, we'll have music from all over the world."
Mideastern New Year rhythms of Desert Orchid Dance Company and Cairo by Night will be there, as will the Division of Indian Affairs doing a Circle of Nations, said Marsh.
Other popular local groups performing throughout the evening include Shane Jackman, Ryan Shupe & the Rubber Band, Utah Flute Association Choir, Larry Pattis, Harry Lee & the Back Alley Blues Band, Utah Opera, Repertory Dance Theatre, Children's Dance Theatre, the Beehive Statesman Barbershop Chorus, Michael Lucarelli, Julie de Azevedo and the First Night Jam, featuring
Peter Breinholt, Nancy Hanson and John Schmidt.
And to cap the celebration, the Latin salsa groove of Ritmo Caliente will play until just before the fireworks extravaganza.
"This year's fireworks will be shot off behind the Salt Palace," Marsh said. "The Gallivan Center was a great place for us in the past, and they will still be open this year, but we pretty much maxed out the occupancy there these last couple of years."
To accommodate the swarms of people, the First Night climax will be focused on West Temple. The 100 South and 200 South intersections onto West Temple will be closed north and south; however, east and west will be open to traffic, said Marsh.
In addition to celebrations at the Salt Palace, other venues will be open to First Night participants.
"The Marriott Hotel Ballroom will become Club 2000, the largest dance club in the area," Marsh said. "And bands from all over the area will play on stages at the Crossroads Mall, ZCMI Center Mall and the Gallivan Center."
The Salt Lake Art Center will be showing the First Night Film Festival, featuring independent films produced and directed by Utah artists, said Marsh.
"All you need is a First Night pin button to get into all the venues," said Marsh. "One button gets you into everything."
Buttons cost $7 in advance or $10 the night of the festivities. They can be purchased at Albertson's, Blimpie sandwich shops, Maverik Country Stores, R.C. Willey, ZCMI Center and Crossroads Plaza.
One main concern, obviously, is access to one of the state's biggest parties, Marsh said.
"Last year more than 55,000 people came to our First Night celebration," Marsh said. "There was more construction and more streets were closed. This year there are more streets open, TRAX will be running and there are more parking lots available."
Free parking is available at Main Street Annex (130 N. Main Street), North Temple Annex (61 E. North Temple), Crossroads Plaza, Gastronomy Firestone Parking Garage (250 S. 200 West), Questar (135 S. State Street), Cathedral of St. Mark's West Lot (231 E. 100 South), Regent Street (55 E. 200 South), ZCMI Center, First Security Bank (400 S. Main Street), Salt Palace Parking (250 W. 100 South) and Exchange Place (22 E. Broadway).
"We are in need of volunteers," Marsh said. "And the possibilities are endless."
For volunteer information, contact the First Night office at 801-364-4885 or at its Web site (www.firstnightslc.org).
"We are happy and privileged to present another First Night celebration for Utah," Marsh said.
Ogden also has a First Night celebration on tap -- for the third year running. And, like most of the First Nights around the country, it has grown.
"Our opening year we attracted about 15,000 people," said Dan Musgrave, executive director of Downtown Ogden Inc., who produces the city's event. "This year, we're anticipating about 25,000 people."
Ryan Shupe & the Rubber Band will be performing in the Eccles Conference Center Grand Ballroom, an hour and a half before they perform at Salt Lake's Gallivan Center. (Drive fast, boys.) Anke Summerhill will be traveling in the other direction, making a dash from Salt Lake City to Ogden, earlier in the evening. Zion Tribe, Terri Taylor, Tanglewood and hypnotist Mark Livingston, among others, are also scheduled.
This year's event will also feature a special fireworks display for the children, Musgrave said.
"There are simply some kids who can't stay up until midnight," he explained. "So at the Ogden City Mall, we are planning to shoot some fireworks off at 9 p.m. That way, the kids can see them."
Those who want to get away from the Wasatch Front, but not out of the state, can head south to Utah's Dixie.
This year marks St. George's debut in the First Night family.
"We had been considering holding First Night for some time," said Marc Mortensen, president of First Night St. George. "But we had some concerns about the impact of Y2K. However, as the city became more prepared, we felt confident that we could present the event."
Most of the festivities will be scattered throughout Historic Main Street, explained Mortensen.
"We wanted to lead people back to the roots of St. George," he said. "And Main Street is the place to be."
St. George's fiesta will feature cowboy poets, folk singers, pop singers, barbershop quartets and jazz, said Mortensen. "We hope to make First Night a new tradition."
Look for a comprehensive calendar of New Year's Eve events in the Deseret News Thursday, Dec. 30, on the cover of the Focus section.