Again, since I'm banned over there, the truth can't be delivered concerning a misconception they have. 

First Night is NOT a Scranton invention.  No one involved with it is attempting to pass it off as such.  The idea was developed over 30 years ago in Boston.  It's an alcohol free alternative to the crowded bars, loud parties, and drunkfests that might not be someone's cup of tea.  It's promoted as family friendly because, well, it is.  It's not a loud, sweaty, drunken meat market.  If that's your thing, great.  It's not for everyone though.

I didn't see the newscasts Anti was referring to, but do you seriously think ANYONE is going to compare themselves to Times Square on New Years Eve?  Seriously?  A city of 75,000 is going to legitimately try to compare itself to a city of over 8 million?  A city of 8 million that will pack over a million people into Times Square?  If you truly believe that, then you're an even bigger idiot than we thought, if that's possible.  It "cost the taxpayers" $8 for adults and $4 for children, I believe.  Those who chose to buy buttons. The entertainment was donated.

"Catfish", people from NY and NJ are not flocking to come to Scranton PA at midnight December 31, when it's cold and rainy?  This is news, how?  It was cold and rainy, dumbass.  Of course not many people were outside!

"Powertothepeople", as charming as your hairsplitting is, as I mentioned above, no, Sara Hailstone was not the one who named it First Night.  Since most of the events are held indoors, and many have several shows (i.e. a show at 5, a show at 7, a show at 9, etc) it is entirely possible that 10,000 people escaped your count.  Just because they weren't there when you turned on the TV to see a shot of a half a block of the entire downtown, do not pretend to know more about the attendance than people who were actually involved.

First Night is nothing more than an alternative.  If you think the idea is interesting, give it a try.  If you don't like it, don't come back.   If any of you over there have families that care about you, they might enjoy spending the time with you at an event like this.  At least give it the benefit of the doubt and try it before putting in your insignificant little ignorant opinions.  

 Edit: I gotta start proofreading...