Salt Lake City - After a successful sixteen year run, First Night, Salt Lake City's traditional New Year's Eve event is more than tripling in size and scope to become a three-day celebration called EVE. On Dec. 29, 30 and 31, tens of thousands of people will gather for celebrations in streets, squares, plazas, theaters and performing arts venues throughout Utah's capital city.

"It seemed like the right time to expand First Night, creating a multi-day event that celebrates everything that binds us together as a community," said Jason Mathis, executive director of the Downtown Alliance. "We wanted to create an inclusive ritual that commemorates the past year and celebrates a brighter future for everyone."

EVE will include fine art performances, live local music, dance parties, ski and snowboard action sports competitions, DJs, film screenings, laser shows, art installations, world music, activities for kids and pet lovers, interactive resolutions, story telling and a spectacular midnight fireworks show on Dec. 31. A new community giving project called eBay It Forward will give Utahns an opportunity to contribute treasured items to a massive art installation, raising funds for local charities.

"We reached deep into our imagination to dream up the evolution of Salt Lake's premiere winter festival," said Jeffrey Berke, EVE's artistic director and creator. "EVE will be a colossal indoor/outdoor urban extravaganza, with snow on the ground, fire in the sky, music in the air and a party in the streets."

A three-day EVE Pass wristband is $15 and provides access to all activities. Passes are available online at EVEslc.com and at retail locations including Fresh Markets (formerly Albertsons), Beans and Brews Coffee Houses and the concierge at The Gateway. Downtown restaurants and hotels are offering EVE packages and special pricing for the three-day event.

EVE is hosted at venues throughout downtown including Gallivan Plaza, The Gateway, Temple Square, Pierpont Avenue, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Broadway Cinema, Joseph Smith Memorial Building and Off Broadway Theater. Corporate community partners include American Express, USANA, eBay, Comcast, City Weekly, Intermountain Healthcare, Coca-Cola and the LDS Foundation.

Presented by the Downtown Alliance, EVE has been created by Jeffrey Berke Productions for the people of Utah. For more information on EVE, visit EVEslc.com.

The Downtown Alliance is dedicated to building a dynamic and diverse community that is the regional center for culture, commerce and entertainment.

Contact: Danica Farley
(801) 419-8544, danica@downtownslc.org