First Night Burlington ends 35-year run, done in by cold and lack of money

First Night Burlington, a sprawling variety show that has rung in the new year for the past 35 years, will disband, the board announced Tuesday.

"First Night 2018 was particularly difficult for us," said David Mount, the chairman of the organization's board. "The arctic temperatures and high winds kept people away in droves, causing us to incur a substantial loss. Our reserves have been fully tapped."

First Night Burlington draws crowds despite cold

After the event, First Night's principal sponsor, North Country Federal Credit Union, told the management team it would "substantially reduce" its participation, leaving the event without a major source of sponsorship income.

North Country Federal Credit Union officials could not be reached for comment.

Financial documents show the nonprofit operated with thin margins. Tax forms filed in 2016 and 2014 show First Night spent thousands more than the organization raised. And First Night spent all but $439 of the roughly $295,000 revenue it reported in 2015.

The nonprofit had two paid staff members during that time period: Tom Ayres, who left Burlington in 2017 to take a job leading the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph and Muffie Milens, who took over for Ayres. Compensation for both grew over a few years from a total of $60,000 to a total of $80,000 in mid-2016, the most recent tax documents available.

Ayres also resigned from the Burlington City Council when he took the Randolph job.

Mount said that Burlington City Arts and other community groups are discussing how to re-imagine a financially sustainable, community-wide New Year's Eve celebration.

"If it doesn't come together for 2019," he said, "it will be greatly missed."

First Night began in 1983. During last year's celebration, nearly 100 performers at 19 downtown venues performed music, dance, theater, storytelling and comedy from 11 a.m. Dec. 31 until a fireworks show in the early hours of Jan. 1.

Hundreds of people attended the last First Night, despite temperatures in the single digits and wind chills falling well below zero.

Mount said that the organization will cease operations at the end of this month, but all bills for the 2018 festival will be paid.

Contact Jess Aloe at 802-660-1874 or jaloe@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @jess_aloe