Final Preparations Underway For First Night 2014
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Tens of thousands of people will head into Downtown Pittsburgh tonight to help ring in the New Year.
There is something for everyone at this year's First Night Pittsburgh.
As of noon, First Night crews were making the final preparations.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Pittsburgh New Year's celebration, crews have constructed an ice labyrinth.
It's a maze made of more than 90,000 pounds of ice.
"It's 30x40 feet, its 5 feet tall, the walls will be lit with LED lights and there's some special surprises inside when you go through the maze, in photo opportunities and special carvings," First Night Director Darcy Kucenic said.
At the Cultural Trust's Art Education Center on Liberty Avenue, revelers can take a break from the cold at the "Memory Terrains" exhibit.
It features the work of artist Matthew Buchholz, whose book "Alternate Histories" was featured in Entertainment Weekly as a top ten gift to buy for Christmas.
"He takes sort of old maps of Pittsburgh and different cities from the 1800s, early 1900s and then puts a little zombie or monster within them," Kucenic said.
Then, there is the fire and ice exhibit. It's an institution at First Night Pittsburgh that is returning to wow the crowd.
Revelers have the chance to join in the First Night parade at 8 p.m.
It starts at the Convention Center and makes its way up Penn Avenue.
The highlight of the night comes at midnight when the ball rises atop the Highmark Building accompanied by Zambelli fireworks.
R & B artist Charles Bradley will also perform beginning at 10:45 p.m.
"He was actually discovered working as a James Brown impersonator. He puts on an amazing show," Kucenic said.
Most of the attractions are free, but indoor activities will require a button, which costs $8 in advance and $10 at the event.
If you are heading into Downtown Pittsburgh for New Year's Eve, you should be aware of some road closures and bus detours due to the festivities:
ROAD CLOSURES, BUS DETOUR & PARKING INFORMATION:
