By Owen Boss
Staff Writer
NORTHAMPTON - Although forecasts are for snowfall much of the day today, those in charge of the First Night festivities said people planning to attend can expect events to proceed mostly without a hitch.
The National Weather Service is predicting that this morning's snow, which could bring 3 to 5 inches of accumulation, will taper off around 3 p.m. But revelers are cautioned to bundle up for the evening: With a blustery wind compounding an expected low temperature of 8 degrees, it'll feel like minus-9.
According to event coordinator Penny Burke, executive director of the Northampton Center for the Arts, inclement weather was considered when planning First Night and the majority of the evening's activities will be, as usual, indoors.
"We aren't going to be changing anything," said Burke. "Amazingly enough, most of what we have scheduled is going to be indoors; it isn't going to be any different than going to the theater or movies. We do have a parade scheduled, but if we find that it is going to be dangerous we won't have it."
Another outdoor event scheduled - the first for a newly created globe - is the ceremonial raising of the ball at midnight downtown from the roof of the Hotel Northampton. The Gazette has reported that only winds over 25 mph would halt the event.
The ball is to be raised up a 24-foot mast, and the event will include a light show designed by Nan Zhang of the Smith College theater department.
The globe itself, designed by Sam Ostroff of Florence, depicts the Earth, with continents of copper and meridians of stainless steel.
Burke said the one aspect of First Night that always relies on the weather is the fireworks display, scheduled for 6:15 p.m. from the roof of the municipal parking garage.
"The only thing that is really weather-dependent is our fireworks display, which depends heavily on wind conditions," said Burke. "Snow does not impact fireworks - it is the wind we have to worry about, but that decision will be left up to the fire chief."
Before the display can be set off, a Fire Department spokesman said the company in charge of the fireworks will do a series of tests to determine speed and direction of the wind before making a decision. He declined to give a precise wind speed that might prohibit fireworks. The National Weather Service is predicting a clear, blustery night, with wind gusts from 15 to 18 mph.
Burke said people shouldn't worry about finding parking, because the Department of Public Works will be out clearing the roads for the duration of the storm, and all levels other than the roof of the parking garage will be open.
"I haven't heard anything from anyone about the parking, and I really do think we are all full steam ahead around here," she said.
Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment