Whenever we get to November 1st at the First Night Burlington office, there’s a change in the air that’s almost tangible. The phone starts ringing, our Box Office starts seeing familiar faces looking for First Night Burlington buttons, and you just get excited. You know what’s coming and you can’t wait.

I’m going into my fourth First Night this year, and my excitement for the event is just as strong as when I worked my first First Night. But this year, I’ll not only be over-seeing Production, I’ll also be speaking and working First Night Burlington as it’s Executive Director.

My love of First Night Burlington was rapid. Each year, each new line-up of performers, each attendee I met, fueled a love for this event that I hadn’t felt for a long time. When I was invited to be the Executive Director, I felt as though I was being proposed to. The festival I had fallen in love with was asking me to lead it.

And so we’ve made a lot of new changes here at First Night. The new website, new programming, but the same personal touch and great community celebration you have grown to love over the last 29 years. My hope is that with this blog, we’ll be able to share with you the writings of people that are a part of the First Night family and why they love this event as well. Artists, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees will be asked to write blogs each month, so that you get a sense of what it takes to make this festival work, but also what drives the love and passion behind the people that make this event possible.

So check back often! This blog will continue to have new posts and new stories about First Night. And don’t forget to buy your buttons and tickets early to ensure that you get to see one of our special ticketed events.

Here’s to another Celebration We’ll Remember,

Jen

Executive Director, First Night Burlington

Together with the folks at Earthlogic, First Night is proud to present our new website. We will be rolling out new features over the next couple months leading to our 2012 First Night celebration. Please let us know what you think – we’re always looking for ways to improve the information we provide to our patrons.