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First Night on Feed Tacoma

Jan. 2, 2008 at 6:25pm

First Night Feedback



Now that everyone has had a chance to get some sleep, we'd like to know what you thought.

What was your favorite thing?

What would you like to see again next year?

What would you like to see less of next year?

Any problems we should know about?

Is there a specific performer or event you'd like to see?

Would you go again?

If you ate at a downtown restaurant that night, which one?

...or anything you would like to say about it.  Have at it in the comments.

comments [8]  |  posted under feedback, First Night, holidays, pirates, Tacoma
Comments

by gracesullivan
on 1/2/2008 @ 6:56pm		Well....I had a successful trip downtown to First Night all by myself with my two little ones (they're 2.5 and 4 months, so to me, that's a major accomplishment!) but maybe one little change would have made things easier.

I loved that there weren't any "outside" food vendors, or a food court or anything, but I felt like I could have used a reminder about where to find local food/who was doing specials. I really tried to memorize the little online map, but it didn't stick once I got down there and, rather than traipse all around looking for food, we ended up just eating the satsumas I'd packed.

I didn't see any type of maps/handouts, which my planet conscious self actually thought was great, but wouldn't it be cool to have a centrally located, lit-up kind of "you are here, food/music, etc is there" kind of board? Like those big map things they have at malls, only not at the mall.

We did have a great time and managed to catch quite a bit of stuff in the four hours we were there. Thanks to everyone who put it together!

by jenyum
on 1/2/2008 @ 7:56pm		That is a really brilliant suggestion, Grace. A great way to keep everyone informed but not have to hand out all that paper.

Thanks!

by KevinFreitas
on 1/2/2008 @ 11:12pm		What was your favorite thing?
I really enjoyed that most of the occasion was indoors and alcohol free. We had fun walking around but enjoyed seeing the stunning different (warm, indoor) downtown venues.

What would you like to see again next year?
The variety of music. Also seeing shops and restaurants in the area open so late. Of course I'd love to see this anytime of the year!

What would you like to see less of next year?
I could do without the theme. It didn't seem to lend a ton to the event. Maybe a catchy slogan for each year's celebration that could from it hatch an impromptu costume idea. The simple "pirate" theme just seemed a little too Halloween for me.

Any problems we should know about?
It seemed like there was some confusion for emcee check-in as well as the "VIP" balcony thing. I think getting better identifiers for volunteers and VIPs as well as having that outdoor balcony actually open would make that side of things great.

Is there a specific performer or event you'd like to see?
I'd like to see the occasion expanded to other parts of downtown all along the Link route from Freighthouse to the Winthrop ballroom. Get more venues involved (e.g. dear, sweet, seldom used Tollefson Plaza) and more restaurants and stores involved. There's tons of opportunity for exposure to folks that might not normally make it downtown and that needs to be highlighted.

We'd also like to see New Years package deals appear for a stay at a local hotel, dinner, and such. Let's make it easy for people to come to First Night and not have to worry about getting back home from out of town. Just make the price reasonable and people will come.

Would you go again?
Absolutely. Especially since our fireworks... work. ;)

If you ate at a downtown restaurant that night, which one?
Our favorite: Galanga Thai

by jenyum
on 1/3/2008 @ 12:37am		These are all good ideas. Please keep the feedback rolling in!

by Mandiferous
on 1/3/2008 @ 10:28am		What was your favorite thing?
-Excellent fireworks display and reggae band.

Any problems we should know about?
-It would be nice if the whole party didn't just shut down at 12:01am. In past years, the band kept playing after the countdown and people danced around for a while. But since the Link only ran until 12:45, everyone hauled out of there as soon as the fireworks were over. I miss the conga line. ;-)

Is there a specific performer or event you'd like to see?
-More local musicians like Jerin Falkner, Stephanie Johnson, Joshua Adams, Vicci Martinez, etc.

Would you go again?
-Of course!

If you ate at a downtown restaurant that night, which one?
-Ate at the Varsity Grill. Had to wait nearly an hour for a table. Not because it was crowded, but because they weren't appropriately staffed for the evening.


by jenyum
on 1/3/2008 @ 12:05pm		In defense of the restaurants, I have to say that they were all remembering the last two years of nothing on New Year's Eve, it was difficult convincing them that this year would be different! I think they were pleasantly surprised.

I called every restaurant I could think of from Pac Ave and 23rd all the way up to 6th and St. Helens, and those that would commit to being open ended up on the list. Freighthouse decided to close at 4.

Anyway, mas feedback, por favor!




by jenyum
on 1/3/2008 @ 2:41pm		Want to see what other First Nights were like? I started a flickr group.

by zastica
on 1/3/2008 @ 5:17pm		I always loved the big parade when I was little(r). It would have been neat to see a bigger one.
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