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In the News...
January 2012
First Night® Portsmouth Welcomes in 2012
To the Editor: Oh, what a night! Miraculous: that's how I described our First Night® celebration…when I woke up at 5am that day I was quite concerned with what Mother Nature had in store for us, but we ended up with great crowds and a terrific event!
Regardless of the challenges - fundraising or the weather – we persevered and as is often the case, the outcome is somehow more meaningful. The crowds at fireworks were huge, the display itself: magical in a foggy sky. The logo-themed ice sculpture was fantastic. The crowds were spirited. The music and dance were – as always – genius. Magical.
To Atlas Pyrovision: Once again, your generosity made the fireworks possible, and they were spectacular. As I stood watching along the water's edge on Parrot Avenue, a huge crowd gathered up and down that street, up Junkins to City Hall and across the Pond - all to enjoy the display. Thank you, Matt. You and your team are terrific.
Our Community Initiative for First Night® yielded many other supporters: You are Pro Portsmouth! Thanks go out to 2012 Program Partner, Citizens Bank and First Night® Portsmouth Shareholders: 3 Bridges Yoga, Alie Jewelers, America's Best Inn, Atlantic Media, The Barrettes, Bowl-O-Rama, Jack & Dianne Chambers, Eyelook Optical, G.Willikers!, The Green Monkey, Hampton Inn Portsmouth, Hilton Garden Inn Downtown, Isles of Shoals Steamship Co., JM Jenkins, Kaffee Vonsolln, Dana Levenson, Liberty Mutual Group, Newmarket International, Optima Bank & Trust, The Page Restaurant & Bar, Piscataqua Landscaping, Piscataqua Savings Bank, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Residence Inn Portsmouth Downtown Waterfront, Michael Richards, Shalimar India, Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth, The Sise Inn, Peter & Kathleen Somssich, Dick Stott, Surf Restaurant Portsmouth, Bryan Yeaton.
A special thank you goes out to our First Night® "hosts": The Connie Bean Recreation Center, Middle Street Baptist Fellowship Hall, North Church, The Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Temple Israel, UU/South Church, United Methodist Fellowship Hall and the West End Studio Theatre. Each year, these groups generously give us the keys to their buildings, allowing us to present wonderful performances to all. Looking ahead, we hope that other groups downtown will consider joining – or rejoining - us as First Night® venues. The continued success of an event like this depends on our ability to meet the demand for space.
Thank you to the City Council and City Staff – so many fine folks work with us in order to get it right.
To those to assist in Button Sales – we are truly grateful; that includes Hannaford/Islington Street, Peoples' United Bank/Seacoast Branches and the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce.
Thanks, too, to our Major In-Kind Donors: Ad Cetera, Ceres Bakery, Hannaford's – Islington Street, Moe's Italian Sandwiches, Panera Bread, Portsmouth Pizza Factory, Ricci Lumber, Ryder Trucks, Savvy Software, Seacoast Coca Cola, Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth, Starbuck's at Market Square and Foster's Daily Democrat for creating our Official Program.
Last, but not least, thanks to all the Volunteers who spend New Year's Eve with Pro Portsmouth. You are something special. Thank you.
Now, we turn our attention to Children's Day on Sunday May 6th and the 35th Anniversary Celebration of the Market Square Day Festival & 10K Road Race on Saturday, June 9th. I hope that you all can join us.
On behalf of our Board of Directors and Event Coordinator, Carolyn Ostrom, thanks to all who continue to believe in and support Pro Portsmouth.
Barbara Massar
Executive Director
Pro Portsmouth, Inc.
Pro Portsmouth Unveils First Night® Portsmouth Logo
Group Launches New Website
PORTSMOUTH, NH. November 15, 2011. Pro Portsmouth unveiled the First Night® Portsmouth 2012 and discussed the launch of its new website.
This year's logo artwork was created by Chuck McLean. Two versions of his design – opposite colors – will appear on all First Night® Buttons and merchandise. Second place was awarded to Carolyn Vibbert and third to PHS student, Dakota DeBlois.
An acknowledgement was also given to the Seacoast School of Technology in Exeter and Portsmouth High School in recognition of their logo artwork submissions.
A First Night® "Battle of the Bands" returns on New Year's Eve at the Connie Bean. Interested up and coming bands should submit a CD or YouTube link along with information about their group to info@proportsmouth.org or Pro Portsmouth, P.O. Box 967, Portsmouth, NH, 03802 by November 18th.
Ongoing Challenges
Pro Portsmouth brings back the Shareholders' Community Initiative as a fundraising mechanism for First Night. "Nothing changes," noted Executive Director, Barbara Massar, "Each year residents and visitors alike expect the fireworks and ice sculpture as a part of the program." "Covering the cost of the fireworks and ice sculpture is one of our biggest challenges. We can't charge a fee to look skyward at a fireworks display and it is not permissible to charge a fee on the street to walk by and admire the ice sculpture, so year after year we seek sponsorship dollars for an event that many accredit to the City when, in fact, we receive no City funds."
The Shareholders' Community Initiative for First Night® returns with a new twist: "Show Us the Button." Businesses are encouraged to purchase shares and offer specials to those showing them the First Night 2012 Button during the first quarter of 2012. According to Massar, it's a way for businesses to support First Night® and increase traffic to their restaurants and shops in a traditionally quiet, post-holiday period. A special "Show Us the Button" web page will link all participating shareholders to their respective sites as well as note all specials available to those wearing the Button. Shares' information is available at: http://www.proportsmouth.org/shareholders.cfm or by calling 603-610-5521.
Corporate Sponsors and Underwriters are also being sought to support the event. Including the cost of fireworks, ice sculpture and performances the organization needs to raise nearly $40.0K. "Over the years, First Night® Portsmouth has become another destination event on the Seacoast," says Executive Director, Barbara Massar. "We are able to attract and entertain not only our friends and neighbors, but people who travel from all over the country to spend the holidays with us, enjoy great music, restaurants and hotels. But in order to keep the event on the calendar, we need everyone's support."
As one of only two remaining First Night® cities in New Hampshire, Pro Portsmouth believes that this event is vital to our continued success as a destination for family, friends and neighbors from down the street and around the world.
First Nighters will be able to enjoy a wide range of music and dance. The Button is your pass to hours of great entertainment from 4pm to midnight on December 31st. A complete schedule is available online and in the Official First Night® Portsmouth Program produced by Foster's Daily Democrat.
The First Night® Button is your ticket for all entertainment. The Button is now available online at www.proportsmouth.org . Locally, the Button may be purchased in mid-December at Hannaford (Pic 'n Pay) on Islington Street and The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce.
Pro Portsmouth will also offering an online only 'Stocking Stuffer' special for First Night® Buttons through December 25th.
It takes upwards of 125 Volunteers to make First Night® happen. All Volunteers receive the exclusive FNP Volunteer Sweat shirt and a FN Button. To be a part of this great celebration as a Volunteer, contact Carolyn Ostrom at 603-610-5530.
New Look on the Web
Harbour Light Strategic Marketing's Robert Squier introduced all in attendance to Pro Portsmouth's new website. The completely redesigned site more clearly represents the organization and their program of events. In addition to the design work, an upgrade of Savvy CM affords Pro Portsmouth the ability to revise and update the site as needed. Massar also acknowledged the generosity of Tidal Media for their hosting services.
For more information on First Night® and all Pro Portsmouth, Inc. events visit the website at www.proportsmouth.org or call 603-610--5521.
About Pro Portsmouth, Inc.
Pro Portsmouth, Inc. is a 501c (3) organization serving the Seacoast area. Its Mission is to promote the arts, culture, history and community of the region through such events as Children's Day, Market Square Day Festival & 10K Road Race, Summer in the Street and First Night® Portsmouth.
Pro Portsmouth Set To Unveil First Night® Logo
PORTSMOUTH, NH. November 10, 2011 – Pro Portsmouth, producers of the Community's major Downtown Festivals, announces it's Press Conference for First Night® Portsmouth 2012.
The Press Conference will take place on Tuesday, November 15th at 1:30pm in the North Church at Market Square.
This year's Logo Artist will be on hand as the First Night® Logo is unveiled to the public.
Additionally, the First Night® Community Initiative will be discussed. This is Pro Portsmouth's fund raiser for First Night® fireworks and ice sculpture as well as overall production costs covering everything from entertainment to truck rentals.
First Night® 2012 takes place on Saturday, December 31st from 4pm – Midnight at various locations in and around Downtown Portsmouth.
Pro Portsmouth is one of two organizations in New Hampshire that continues to produce a First Night® in their respective communities; the other is the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce.
The organization will also be previewing their newly-designed website courtesy of Harbour Light Strategic Marketing and Savvy Software.
For more information on volunteering and sponsorship opportunities for First Night® and all Pro Portsmouth, Inc. events visit the website at www.proportsmouth.org or call 603-610-5521.
About Pro Portsmouth, Inc.
Pro Portsmouth, Inc. is a 501c (3) organization serving the Seacoast area. Its Mission is to promote the arts, culture, history and community of the region through such events as Children's Day, Market Square Day Festival & 10K Road Race, Summer in the Street and First Night® Portsmouth.
