‘First Night’: Getting Into the Spirit, Not the Spirits

FULLERTON —  If your head feels woozy this morning and your mouth feels full of cotton balls, you might want to consider spending next New Year’s Eve at Orange County’s only “First Night.”

Tuesday’s booze-free bash, sponsored by Fullerton city officials, drew thousands of revelers, who danced and partied the night away without fear of morning-after regrets.

“It beats making noise and wearing silly hats and waiting for midnight,” said Jim Barklay, 54, of Huntington Beach.

More on him in a moment.

The party kicked off at 7 p.m. with a “People’s Parade,” which wended through the historic downtown district.

Then, throughout the night, various artists performed, including a jazz band called Simpatico, a surf band called the Torquays, and Cindy Layne, who calls herself “The Ultimate Hypnotist.”

Comedian Paul Dillery was on hand, as were poet-humorist Willie Sims and the Doctor’s Band, a group of swinging local medicos.

“You get drama, you get dance, you get fun, and you don’t see a lot of drunks falling all over themselves,” said Betsy Azariah, 52, of Cerritos, who ushered in the new year with her husband, Eric.

“First Night” was founded 20 years ago in Boston, where city officials wanted to broaden public interest in the performing arts while providing a sedate alternative to New Year’s Eve hysteria.

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Since then, the idea has spread to more than 100 cities, including Fullerton, where 10,000 people were expected to attend this year’s sixth annual party.

“I bring my 10-year-old granddaughter, and she just loves it,” said Joyce Hagen, 55, of Whittier. “It’s just a good, clean, fun place to be.”

Sylvia Palmer Mudrick, an event organizer and city spokeswoman, said: “People know that they can come down here and have a good time and enjoy a great fireworks show without worrying about drunks.”

Plus, they can bring their kids, many of whom sang karaoke, painted their faces or hung out at the petting zoo.

“We love it here!” said 9-year-old Aria Woods of Diamond Bar, who attended the party with her parents. “It’s really a good experience here, and everybody’s happy. You don’t see anyone walking around sad with their faces lowered.”

But you do see some strange things, especially when the hypnotist takes control.

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For instance, you might have seen a boy under hypnotic suggestion racing around like the cartoon Roadrunner and yelling, “Beep beep!”

You might have seen a woman hypnotized into thinking she was Madonna, or a dozen entranced people who thought they could speak Chinese.

Or you might have seen Barklay, of Huntington Beach, who thought he was exercise guru Richard Simmons.

With the audience on their feet, doing jumping jacks and laughing, Barklay screamed: “Get rid of it tonight, you fatsoes!”

It was the kind of performance to make Barklay’s friends wonder if he really rang in the new year without alcohol.