New Glasgow hosting Family First Night along with Resolution Run

Employees at the Town of New Glasgow are hoping to start a new New Year’s tradition this year, as they host the first of what they’re calling a “Family First Night” event.

To help build momentum for the event, the Town is timing the event to coincide with the Resolution Run, which is put on by the Johnny Miles Running Event, which will start at Glasgow Square Theatre this year.

New Glasgow Program and Events Manager Paula Irving said they’ve been trying to think of something new they could do for families at Glasgow Square, and this idea was tossed around a couple years ago. Because of bookings already in place, however this was the first year they’ve had a chance to execute the idea.

To her, holding it together with the Resolution Run made perfect sense, since organizers with the event were looking for a larger venue to host it.

At the Family First Night, they’ll be having horse drawn wagon rides through the downtown, bouncy house and marshmallows roasted over an open fire beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31, as well as music throughout the evening. The event will conclude at 8 p.m. with a fireworks display.

Irving said she envisions families coming down to support and cheer for a relative or friend taking part in the 5K run and then enjoying some activities around the square. The event is free.

Resolution Run organizer Terry Curley said they’re excited about being able to hold the fun run at the Square this year. The move to Glasgow Square allows them to increase the number of registered runners they can take from 200 to 300.

“The run has always been a family event, but I think it adds even more family and community to the run,” he said of the partnership. “Kids can hang around the Square and be entertained.”

He said the route will be basically the same and runners will have the opportunity to see some beautiful Christmas lights as they run.

As in the past, he said they will try to wrap up the event at 8 p.m. so people can go home or go to any night events they might have planned.

While winter always is a bit unpredictable for this event, Curley said they’ve historically had weather fit to run in. He said he hopes mother nature will cooperate once again this year.