Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Winds led organizers to cancel the evening fireworks, but the 38th annual First Night Springfield includes something old and something new – including a new organizer, Bella Szabo (pictured, holding the big scissors), the new executive director of the Springfield Area Arts Council.

“We call on new performers and tried-and-true performers, so everybody knows a familiar name, and we keep it fresh by bringing in those new performers,” said Szabo. “We participate at similar venues nearly every year, but we like to bring in new venues, like the ALPLM here and the Dana-Thomas House.”

The presidential museum hosted the ribbon-cutting at noon Friday.

Szabo said she expected about 200 people (Not thousands? “We’re still recovering from covid.”) to wander downtown and enjoy the varied performing acts and hot chocolate.