Monterey rings in the new year with artistic expression

The thunder of Taiko drummers kicked off the 23rd annual First Night Monterey.

With roots starting in Boston, the New Year’s Eve celebration closed off downtown to offer dozens of vendors, live entertainment and art activities for people of all ages.

“Monterey County is a creative community, and we want everybody to be represented,” said Carla Baldassari, with First Night Monterey.

Event goers said they decided to skip other New Year’s Eve festivities and come to First Night instead, because it focuses on building families and community.

“I think it’s great, because normally, we would go to one of our family friend’s house, and the adults would be able to drink,” said Steve Hager, of Los Gatos, California. “We’ve done that the last couple of years, but this time we want to do something different.”

Free transportation is being offered to anyone who wants to come and has a First Night Monterey button.