First Night's 2002-03 segue is kids' delight.

Byline: GARRET JAROS The Register-Guard

Eugene's First Night was a late night for some, but in the spirit of the new year - they prepared.

"We practiced last night," said the Stisser family of Eugene. "Seriously, we stayed up late," Bob Stisser said after the family posed for a Polaroid to mark the event.

It was the family's first time at First Night, and they planned to see it through, Diana Stisser said.

"It sounded like fun," said Diana, who shares a new year's resolution, "to exercise more," with her husband. Their 10-year-old son Ryan just plans "to play as much as possible" in the new year.

Organizers for the eighth annual First Night said they expected between 4,000 and 5,000 revelers to ring in the new year.

"The weather is good and that helps," said Amy Nielson, who helped coordinate volunteers.

"We do have a lot of families, and so one thing we tried to do this year is help the parents with the kiddie countdown in case they need to head out."

At the kiddie countdown in the Atrium Building at 10th Avenue and Olive Street, 10 p.m. substituted for midnight as balloons, held at bay in a parachute above, rained down on delighted children who'd spent the evening enjoying storytellers and magicians, music, Twister games, mask-making and other crafts.

"Twister has been busy all night," said volunteer and organizer Rosie Duris. "Masks are definitely the favorite though." Duris called the first-time kiddie countdown an "awesome success."

"The thing that's so great about it is the generations are all here," she said.

That was just as true outside in the chilly wind near the stage at Broadway Plaza where Bob Peters enjoyed the evening with his granddaughter Louise, who'd made a special trip from Portland for New Year's.

"This is my first time coming," Peters said. "Traditionally we're always at the coast, but with Louise coming, this worked out."

Peters' resolution for the new year is to make his bride happy, he said. "I want to make this the very best year possible for my bride - my wife actually, of 47 years."

This year's First Night featured five indoor stages at various downtown locations, one outdoor stage, street performers and food booths. Highlights included an 11 p.m. procession down Broadway by Brazilian percussion group Samba Ja, and fire dancers Midnight Sun who lit up the night as a lead-in to the midnight countdown.

But for those who couldn't quite make it that late, like 2-year-old Sophia at the Atrium, the long night to a new year was just as special.

"This is magical to her," said her mother, Molly Pierce, who held Sophia on her lap as the little girl was mesmerized by the storyteller. "But she'll be in bed by midnight. Me too, for that matter," she said with a laugh.

WISHES FOR 2003

A list on the wall at the kiddie countdown in the Atrium where kids and people could pen their wishes.

"I wish I could play on the ducks team and be a cheerleader."

"I wish for snow next year."

"I wish I had a baby here as a pet."

"I wish I had $10000."

"I wish I could eat candy all day."

"I wish I saw my mom."

CAPTION(S):

David Kelly draws First Night partygoers to Broadway and Willamette as he balances a stack of blocks on his chin during his juggling act.