First Night Alexandria will kick off with an inaugural Fun Hunt on Thursday, Dec. 31. Teams of friends, family and colleagues are invited to participate in the unique event starting at 2:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Fun Hunt participants will pick up clues at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria. Speed doesn’t matter, but solving all of the clues does. The hunt will run until 4:45 p.m., when completed forms must be turned in at the Embassy Suites Hotel. During the First Night Alexandria official kick-off at 5 p.m., a Fun Hunt drawing will take place for first, second and third prizes. All teams that correctly finish the hunt by 4:45 p.m. and are present for the drawing will be eligible to win.
"There has already been a lot of buzz about this new event and we are fortunate to have generous sponsors providing some fabulous prizes," said Denny Auld, First Night Alexandria Board Member and Fun Hunt creator. "Our first prize winners will take home $500, as well as a two-night stay at The Morrison House, with dinner one-night, and other great gifts. Similar prizes will be awarded to the second and third teams drawn."
The Fun Hunt is open to the first 250 teams registering. There is no fee to participate, but each team must have one First Night Alexandria badge visible at all times.
First Night Alexandria badges can be purchased online through Dec. 23 for $15. Badges are also available for $20 at several retail locations throughout Alexandria, and will be sold starting at 12 noon on Dec. 31, at the Embassy Suites Hotel on Diagonal Road, First Night Alexandria Headquarters that day. At least one venue in each of the First Night Spotlight Areas will sell badges too, starting 15 minutes before performances on New Year’s Eve.
Admission badges are required for entry to First Night Alexandria venues and provide access to any and all of the performances throughout the night. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult, and active military personnel will receive complimentary badges.
First Night Alexandria is the largest, safest, family-friendly, budget-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration in the Greater Washington Metropolitan area. For Fun Hunt details, a list of badge retail sites and a full schedule of the evening’s venues and performers, visit www.FirstNightAlexandria.org.