2020 ARRIVES
Reflecting on the past, looking toward the future: Pittsburgh rings in the new year at First Night
Music rang through the streets of Downtown’s Cultural District Tuesday as thousands gathered to say goodbye to the 2010s and ring in 2020.
“For some, they’re looking back at happy memories or they’re looking back thinking, ‘Uh-oh.’ We’re all hoping for a good new year, though,” said Eileen Porte, of the Pocono Mountains, who traveled to Pittsburgh with her family for their first Cultural Trust Highmark First Night experience. “We all need some hope and some fun.”
Out-of-towners, first-timers and Pittsburgh lifers walked through the festive lights and snow flurries
to and from soul line dancing, Latin jazz rhythms, magic shows and more along the several-block stretch of activities.
A short children’s fireworks show from atop the Theater Square parking garage kicked off the night just after 6 p.m.
Inside the family tent, Dean Hoover, 55, of Brackenridge, donned a sparkling blue “Happy New Year!” hat and tried to keep track of his 12- and 13-year-old son and daughter.
“When I was young, we used to go out and bang pots and pans,” he said. “But for me, my wife and my kids, this is our tradition. We’ve been coming here since they were babies.”
While the family killed time in the tent before the evening’s comedy show, Mr. Hoover said he was grateful for 2019.
“I got a new job where they treat me really well,” he said.
Not far from the Hoover family, four sisters, with husbands in tow, cupped their hands around coffee cups, and laughed as the sleet and
snow fell on them.
“We’re all Irish, so we usually save our energy for St. Patrick’s Day,” said Shelia Morton, 59, of Forest Hills. “But we decided to start early this year, get the season started.”
By 8 p.m., giant whimsical puppets by artist Cheryl Capezutti began marching down Penn Avenue, keeping the anticipation rolling toward midnight as they danced alongside a lively marching band. A drum line and pedicabs decorated as big friendly-looking monsters brought up the rear of the New Year’s Eve parade.
Walking along Penn to the beat before he “hit up a few parties,” Sandeep Mysore, 23, of Shadyside, was feeling reflective, despite his youth.
“I wish I could do [the decade] again, but better,” he said, “and not date a couple of girls I dated.” His resolution going into 2020 is to
“improve himself, become better in my personal life.”
But others weren’t thinking about resolutions.
Judy Gross of Irwin huddled with a group of friends and her daughter Natalie, 15, near a line of food trucks and portable heaters on 9th Street.
“I don’t believe in them,” Ms. Gross said. “I just believe in trying to live your best live every day.”
She and her daughter had just watched the Steel Town Fire and Ice performance and weren’t sure if they would make it to midnight, Ms. Gross said. After all, the family was looking forward to their longtime New Year’s Day morning tradition: a sundae bar for breakfast.
“Any year that starts with ice cream has to be good,” she added.