We do things a little differently here in Northampton.

It’s true. Traveling down Main Street on any given day, you don’t have to look far before you notice a retail store selling some funky clothes or a new piece of public art on the street. There are an unusual amount of used bookstores and musical instrument stores per capita. And on New Year’s Eve, at the stroke of midnight, while other First Night celebrations across the country are dropping the ball, The Hotel Northampton will continue the tradition of raising the ball to celebrate, as it has done so every year for the past 39 years. Because being a little different is what makes us Northampton.

First Night began in Boston in 1975 as a way to offer alcohol-free celebrations that supported local artists. First Night celebrations quickly began popping up nationwide, with Northampton’s starting in 1985. In 2017, First Night Worcester shut down, leaving Northampton’s celebration as the only one west of Boston and one of the few remaining in the country. This year, The Hotel Northampton will raise the ball for the 40th time, marking not just the coming of a new year, but also a remarkable achievement.

Just as amazing organizers like Penny Burke at the Northampton Center for the Arts made First Night what it is today, a new generation of organizers are currently working hard to pull off this complicated yet vital citywide party. Long-running events like these require community members to step up and get involved.

First Night Northampton’s existence is not guaranteed. People like you who buy buttons and support First Night year after year keep it alive. As different as we all are here in Northampton, celebrations like First Night give us a chance to come together as a community focusing on our shared love of music, art and food.

First Night is a huge undertaking that cannot be accomplished without the collective efforts of the Northampton Arts Council, city workers, numerous volunteers, musicians, performers, artists, and our dedicated staff here at The Hotel Northampton. Funding continues to be a challenge for the event due to its mission to provide safe family-friendly, alcohol-free spaces for celebrating New Year’s Eve. In order to pay local artists and musicians, First Night relies on the generosity of local sponsors.

So please, if you are a local business owner consider joining us and sponsoring the event. We all can make a difference and keep the tradition alive by buying a button for a friend this year. They really do make great gifts for people who like to do things differently.

Mansour Ghalibaf is owner of The Hotel Northampton.