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 orget about New York City. Forget about Dick Clark's "Rockin' New Year" live. Forget about the gigantic silvery disco ball that's lowered a few strokes before midnight there.
 ittsburgh is where it's at as far as New Year's Eve celebrations are concerned.
 ust in case you missed the festivities this year, the "ticket" to these grand events took the form of a small button.
At only $5 bucks a pop, First Night badges were sold at local Giant Eagles and certain Downtown stores.
Displaying their badges proudly, First Night-goers were subjected to a number of entertaining diversions, such as intriguing ice sculptures, concerts featuring hometown favorites like Joe Negri and the Pittsburgh Symphony, and best of all, rousing colorful fireworks displays.
 n addition to giving local Pittsburghers their own "city-wide" celebration, the pre-New Year's festival was also created to bring people into the city who, under normal circumstances, wouldn't be here. According to organizers, 600 hotel rooms were booked through a First Night package. The celebration strove to be an alcohol-free evening.
 ith the streets closed, local police were heavy on the beat. Alongside them patrolled volunteers as well. Police estimated at around 9 p.m. that 20,000 people were participating.
 he concept of "First Night" was implemented in Boston 21 years ago. Now held in 170 cities in the United States and Canada, the event is paid for with the help of corporate sponsors and the $38,000 made in selling buttons.
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