First Night Flathead offers family fun on New Year's Eve

Maybe it’s much to early in the game, but we’ll ask just the same: What are you doing New Year’s Eve?

Downtown Kalispell is gearing up for First Night Flathead, its annual family-friendly, alcohol-free gala on Dec. 31. First Night offers a wide range of musical styles and ensembles by local and statewide artists, and several activities for all ages.

Free activities take place at the Kalispell Center Mall from 1 to 4 p.m. Hat making, pony rides, face painting, jewelry making, hula hooping, games and the First Night Commencement Parade are all part of the festivities at the mall.

Musicians, dancers and other artists will perform at downtown venues throughout the evening. The lineup will be finalized by Dec. 14, when admission buttons go on sale.

Admission buttons are $12 in advance or $15 at the door; children 12 and younger get in free when accompanied by an adult with a First Night button.

Buttons are available in Kalispell at Colter Coffee, First Interstate Bank (on Main and in Hutton Ranch Plaza), Montana Coffee Traders, Western Outdoor, Super 1 Foods, Kalispell Parks and Recreation, Red Lion Hotel and Valley Bank; in Bigfork at Electric Avenue Gifts; in Columbia Falls at Bad Rock Books and Montana Coffee Traders; in Evergreen at Super 1 Foods; and in Whitefish at Montana Coffee Traders.

First Night Flathead is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and donations are welcome. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 3121, Kalispell, MT 59903; brought to the First Night Flathead table in the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell lobby from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 31; or taken to any performance venue between 7 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31.

For more information, visit www.firstnightflathead.org, email info@firstnightflathead.org or call 253-2471.