SARANAC LAKE - This past year's First Night Saranac Lake button was chosen as the best First Night button of 2011 nationwide.
As in past years, the button design was inspired by one of the banners created in the previous year by community organizations in celebration of the New Year. This one was designed by artist Carol Vossler and her design class at North Country Community College. It shows a collage of images including a dancing couple's silhoutte, horns, confetti, stars and musical notes.
Sue Patterson, co-chair for First Night Saranac Lake, said the design "is colorful and fun and represents the music and culture of our community."
Upstate New York also claimed the other award, for best First Night poster; it went to First Night Saratoga in Saratoga Springs.
First Night, a non-alcoholic New Year's Eve celebration oriented toward families and the arts, began in 1976 in Boston. There are now about 75 First Night festivals, according to First Night USA's website. Saranac Lake will host its sixth annual First Night this Dec. 31.
