[Robotgroup] KVUE: "135, 000 people expected to attend First Night Austin"

[Vern Graner]

from this link:

http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/122707kvuefirstnight-mm.5b25b5fb.html

comes this story:

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First Night expected to draw record crowd

10:43 PM CST on Thursday, December 27, 2007

By KEVIN PETERS
KVUE News

Thousands are expected to pack the streets around City Hall for Austin's 
First Night celebration.  It's the city's annual New Year's Eve event 
dedicated to the city's arts and culture.  Last year approximately 
125,000 people attended the free event.  This year organizers expect at 
least about 135,000.  Several roads are being closed to make way for the 
celebration.  Congress Avenue will close Monday in between 7th Street 
and Cesar Chavez around 5:30 pm.  Cesar Chavez will also be closed from 
San Antonio to Colorado Streets starting at 2 o'clock through the rest 
of the night.  Adjacent streets to City Hall will also be closed 
including the 1st Street Bridge.

Click here for larger video

"It's an alternative for folks to come out whether young, elderly (or) 
whatever age," says Patricia Paredes, interim Executive Director of 
First Night Austin.  "We have art that addresses local and global issues."

Austin is one of the few First Night events across the country that is 
free.  Organizers say sponsors like HEB make that possible.  The 
festivities begin at City Hall at 3 pm Monday.  The event ends just 
after the fireworks at midnight.
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135,000 people?!? <gulp!> We're gunna need more ping pong balls! :D

Vern

-- 
Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE    | "If the network is down, then you're
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