Where is First Night?
First Night is celebrated in over 200 Cities in the U.S. and Canada. Plus England and Australia. First Night Fredericksburg is held in olde towne Fredericksburg up and down Caroline and adjoining Streets. A complete listing of First Night Cities can be found at the First Night International web site at http://www.firstnight.com/.

What is happening at First Night?
The City of Fredericksburg has a large array of events planned for this years First Night celebration. We have attended several of the First Night Fredericksburg's. Our accounts and photos of the events are below.

History
The pear dropping over Caroline Street started in 1994. Ken Crampton and his Pear have run into trouble during the past couple of years (read more). Personally Fredericksburg only needs one pear. It's not about how much money was spent on it, or what it is made of, it's about tradition and Ken's pear is now a tradition. In 2000, the City had three pears. One on each end of Caroline Street and Ken's pear in the middle. Most of the crowds gathered around Ken's pear out of tradition. A few around the contest winning pear at the library and a few more around the one on the side of the high rise Executive Plaza Office building (601 Caroline St.). The one at the library was to remain stationary at midnight, Ken's was to drop, and the one on the Executive Plaza Office building was to rise at midnight. After much debate, Ken's pear was dropped, and this 2001 only one pear was dropped (Ken's).

Ken's pear is made out of a chicken wire frame with a ligth bulb on the inside. The wire frame is covered with yellow mylar tape. The end result is a simple pear that the public loves.  SimplyFredericksburg would like to say thanks to Ken Crampton for showing us the pear and telling us a little about it's past. Also thanks for taking the time in making the pear and fighting the good fight.

The 2000 Event
The night started off with a parade down Caroline St. At the library were re-enactors gathered around a fire. Across the street, hanging in the sky was the new pear designed by Ami McClean of Spotsylvania. Ami's pear was on display because she won the contest held by the First Night Fredericksburg Executive Director Chris Foley. Ami was paid $250 for winning the contest. Inside the library was the GoodTime Cloggers dancing up a storm. The Cloggers put on a high energy upbeat show as usual. At the James Monroe High School gym were the Mapapa Acrobats from Kenya. The show they put on was truly awesome. The only bad thing about that show was the long wait for a bus ride back to the main festival location. Also at the 2000 event were Kamp Kreatures puppets, the Larry Stephenson Band and the Hartwood Quartet to name a few. At midnight, the pear at 810 Caroline dropped as scheduled, the lighted balloon pear at 601 Caroline rose a few seconds later and the fire works show was spectacular.

The Good Time Cloggers really put on an  excellent show in 1999 and 2000. If this year is anything like their previous shows, it will a treat. Rebecca the Trolley was all decked out in holiday lights The trolley offers rides to events and was in the parade.   The fireworks that brought in the  New Year last year.

We enjoyed the celebration so much the last couple of years that we even offered to advertise and offer web services to the First Night committee in 2000. If you have not been to a First Night celebration, you should consider attending this years First Night Fredericksburg celebration. Held in the Historic District of Old Town, First Night is an alcohol free block party held on the streets. In years past the festivities started off with a small parade down Caroline Street. Though the parade was short and sweet, fun was had by all. There are so many things to see and do that you may want to check out the event schedule and plan ahead so you won't miss something. Traditionally the evening drew to a close with the dropping of the pear and sometime fireworks over the river.        One of three pears used for the 1999 event, this year there will be only one pear to watch. The Pear suspended over Caroline Street.