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November 25, 1996

Volunteers needed for First Night event

The organizers of First Night Santa Cruz are looking for 500 volunteers to help out at the family-oriented New Year's Eve event this year.

The volunteers are needed to act as site managers and assistants, information and security hosts, and to set up before and clean up after the event, says Trink Bickal, president of the local nonprofit organization. She expects 25,000 people to attend First Night this year, up from approximately 20,000 last year.

UCSC continues to be a sponsor of the event. In addition to the lighted, flashing admission button First Night gives to volunteers, the campus will provide a free admission button to the first 30 volunteers from the campus community.

The celebration begins at 3 p.m. December 31 with continuous performances throughout the downtown area and culminates with a midnight countdown at the town clock. It features a range of entertainment, from musical and theater groups, to stilt walkers and jugglers, to interactive art sculptures and a parade. The 35 performance spaces include the UCSC Extension offices in the Galleria Building, which UCSC has donated once again as a venue.

A First Night button ($9 for adults and $5 for children) serves as admission to the night's events. It will be sold starting in early December at a number of downtown merchants and at all Bay Federal Credit Union offices.

To volunteer and claim your additional free button from UCSC, call Carol Lacey at ext. 2559. For more information about the event, tap into First Night's home page or call 425-7277.