In its 20-year history, First Night has developed a reputation as a safe, exciting, family-friendly alternative to traditional New Year’s celebrations. Tacoma’s was the first First Night to take place west of the Mississippi. In 2000, First Night Tacoma won the prestigious Prism Award from First Night International for the Best Programming among all of the 300-some cities in the First Night world. In a normal year between 10,000 and 20,000 will attend this celebration. This is truly a community-building celebration, utilizing many community cultural groups, allowing Tacoma-Pierce County actors and performers to “strut their stuff” for their neighbors and friends. The event draws from King and Thurston Counties as well