Rockola returns to headline First Night

By: JEFF FRANK - Staff Writer | Sunday, October 3, 2004 8:26 PM PDT ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- The 10th anniversary First Night Escondido celebration will have a bit of a familiar feel.

Organizers tapped Rockola to be the headline act at the annual alcohol-free New Year's Eve party. The oldies rock 'n' roll group also headlined the 2002 First Night festival.

"They are such great entertainers, and they have a great audience and following," said Linda Courton, the paid event coordinator for First Night. "For $10 (the event admission fee) to see someone like Rockola is great. They're one of the top bands in San Diego."

Rockola will perform throughout the evening of Dec. 31 on the main stage on Grand Avenue and Broadway, leading into the midnight fireworks display that rings in the new year.

The oldies rockers will have a lot of company, with more than 30 acts providing entertainment on 13 stages throughout downtown Escondido, City Hall and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Popular return acts such as Fern Street Circus, Westwind Brass, Grupo Imagen Azteca and the San Diego Ballet are mixed with a collection of new performers such as Phat Cat Swinger, the Moondawgs and the Too Much Fun bluegrass trio.

The event theme is Celebrate Good Times, reflecting the desire to "Celebrate all the good times we've had over the last 10 years," said Courton. "We're bringing back some of the things people have said they enjoyed (at previous First Nights)."

A sand sculpture and glass-blowing are being brought back this year by popular request, said Courton. Another event highlight is a 20-foot diameter model of the Earth that allows up to 30 people inside to learn about the Earth's core, time zones, seasons and weather.

The Earth Balloon is one of just three such models in the United States. It will be displayed in one of the studios at the arts center.

The event will again offer a family fireworks display at 8 p.m. for people not able to stay until the midnight show. A large collection of street performers, along with numerous hands-on arts projects and demonstrations will keep things hopping throughout the night. A Battle of the Bands for teens and young adults will once again take place in the conference center of the Center for the Arts

"We're anticipating great crowds. It's on a Friday night this year, and it will be the 10th anniversary. We hope to draw people in because we have a nice long weekend," said Courton.

Val Knox and Jacquie Brinkley are volunteer co-chairwomen for this year's celebration. Admission buttons remain $10 through Dec. 25, going up to $15 the next day and at the event.

"We're telling people to use them for holiday stocking stuffers because (the price) is changing on Dec. 26," said Courton.

Contact staff writer Jeff Frank at (760) 740-5419 or jfrank@nctimes.com.