Saint Louis First Night at Grand Center 2006 St. Louis News Community Info St. Louis CitySide Business News St. Charles News Southwest, IL News Art Gallery News Hotel News Restaurant News Style St. Louis Not Just For Kids   Downtown Map America's Center Busch Stadium Gateway Arch Scottrade Center Laclede's Landing Old Courthouse Union Station   Metropolitan Map Casinos Central West End Clayton, MO Grand Center Grant's Farm Forest Park Kimmswick, MO MO Botanical Garden Soulard St. Charles, MO West Port Plaza Transportation Lambert Airport How To Reach Us: St. Louis Front Page P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com

The crowd cheered Grand Center's spectacular float as it passed in front of the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Mickey Carroll, original cast member from the Wizard of Oz, joined First Night sponsors and other Oz characters during the opening ceremony on the main stage. First Nighters proudly showed their newly painted faces airbrushed by Star Shields and Company. The St. Francis Xavier Church, bathed in green light, created a spectacular backdrop for First Night. The grassy area at Grandel Square featured a lively art project portraying a scene from Oz complete with crumpled house and the stocking feet of the Wicked Witch. Grand Center Becomes "Emerald City" for First Night Celebration by Betty Magrath, SLFP.com Photos by Bob Moore, SLFP.com © 2006, St. Louis Front Page ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), January 1, 2006 - Thousands of revelers enjoyed a parade, concerts, fireworks and family activities in the "Emerald City" during the First Night Saint Louis celebration at Grand Center. Children and their parents gathered near the Fabulous Fox at 5:30 p.m. to watch the Grand Parade. Lively rhythms by the Show Me DRUMLINE echoed against the tall buildings lining Grand Avenue as they led the procession of colorful floats and costumed characters from the "Wizard of Oz" toward the main stage set up at Lindell Boulevard. Opening activities on the main stage featured special performances by artists 4th Down and the very talented Muny Kids who were joined by St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay wearing a large green hat. Other characters from the "Wizard of Oz" included a special appearance by Mickey Carroll, one of the original munchkins. Following the parade, the crowd quickly dispersed into the various venues for opening performances. The Sheldon Concert Hall feature glow-in-the-dark juggling by Lazer Vaudeville. Nearly two hundred seats were filled in the lower level of the Third Baptist Church for the first magic act by magician Brent Loewenstein. Revelers headed toward Powell Hall to catch a special presentation with David Robertson and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra playing Chaplin's score live along with a screening of the Chaplin's "City Lights" film. Long lines formed for young and old to have their faces adorned by airbush artists at Fantasy Faces at 512 N. Grand. Across the street in the Woolworth Building, the crowds were entertained with art activities and dance performances. The restored Continental Life Building, St. Francis Xavier Church and Third Baptist Church were bathed in green lights creating a whimsical Emerald City. The grassy area at Grandel Square featured a lively art project with a scene from the Wizard of Oz complete with a crumpled house on top of the Wicked Witch. Organizers had suggested first-nighters come dressed as munchkins or other Wizard of Oz characters. The Wicked Witch of the West appeared to be a favorite as many in the crowd wore tall green hats. Other revelers came dressed as the lion, the tin man and the Good Witch Glenda. A special fireworks display was presented at 9:10 for families with little kids just to ring in the New Year a bit early. First Night Saint Louis ushered in 2006 with an exuberant fireworks display that could be heard throughout downtown St. Louis. The Show Me DRUMLINE drew an enthusiastic crowd in front of the Fabulous Fox Theatre following the parade. The crowd enjoyed an energetic performance by the Saint Cecilia's Coed Dance Troupe in the Woolworth Building. The JOIA Percussion Group stopped in front of the Fabulous Fox Theatre for a lively jam that thrilled first-night revelers. All Photos © 2006 Bob Moore SLFP.com

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