By Kate Bobby
Celebrate a safe, alcohol-free New Year's Eve with the citywide First Night, in Queens at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Sponsored throughout the city at various locations, First Night features a host of New Year's activities, culminating in a wide-screen, simultaneous Times Square countdown to the millennium.
The three First Night hosts in Queens are the Queens Museum of Art, the New York Hall of Science and Queens Theatre in the Park. All located within walking distance of one another, the three hosts will feature special hours and special holiday programming. Open from 5:30-10 p.m., the Hall of Science hosts an evening of “Make It and Take It” activities for kids, featuring jugglers, mimes and magicians.
In addition, the Hall will have special extended hours for its regular exhibits as well as a video installation, “Wave Transformations.” The Queens Museum of Art, open from 5-11 p.m., will feature a sound and light show at the Panorama of the City of New York as well as arts and crafts, roving performers and the creation of an outdoor ice sculpture.
In addition, there will be First Night activities at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows, including a music from around the world program and a parade of nations led by Miss Universe 1999, Mpule Kwelagope of Zimbabwe.
The topper: a midnight countdown with wide-screen view of Times Square and a millennium fireworks extravaganza.
Admission is through the purchase of voucher pins ($10 for adults and $5 for children) through Ticketmaster by calling (212) 307-7171 or by calling the QMA at 592-9700, The Hall of Science at 699-0005 or Queens Theatre in the Park at 760-0064. In addition, you will be able to purchase admission vouchers at various area retailers including HMV, the Wiz and Tower Records.
For more information, call the mayor's office at (212) 788-2000.
