First Night Flathead

Thank you to all who continue to visit the First Night Flathead page. We are saddened that we had to suspend production for lack of sufficient funding to produce this beloved annual event. Please know that we, the Board of Directors, maintain the First Night Flathead 501 (c)3 non-profit corporation in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State and the IRS. This in hopeful anticipation that better economic times will enable us to restart production of this annual event. Until then, please support live music anywhere and everywhere! We will see you again soon, providence willing. Best wishes for a Holly Jolly Holiday from all of us at First Night Flathead. Cheers!

UPDATE August 1, 2017:
There have been a lot of visits here recently but no comments left.

BOTTOM LINE: In the last three to four years, Jill and I, paying all the bills before our salary distribution, were in reality personally underwriting First Night, as our salaries dwindled each year to a pittance. We each struggled to keep the lights on and roofs over our heads to even produce the event. It became untenable and our Board agreed.

IF there are persons and/or entities that are independently financed that wish to assume the management of the non-profit to continue producing this beloved event, by all means, get in touch.

I say "independently financed" because I feel that our FNF business, civic and community sponsors are being outstripped by the explosion of needy causes in the Valley. They are inundated with fundraising requests, hundreds of which they can't hope to support.

We sought and sought philanthropic angels to underwrite First Night to no avail. The world has thus moved on from being able to support a community New Year celebration.

Please continue reading my original post. Know that Jill and I sincerely value and appreciate every single business, artist, venue, button sales outlet and volunteer that made our First Night production so special and worthwhile year after year.

All good blessings,
Patrice

Dear First Night Flathead fans,

In the absence of community and individual interest in joining our efforts to restart this annual gala, the First Night Flathead Board of Directors has voted unanimously to dissolve the FNF non-profit corporation effective the end of the 2017 fiscal year, which date falls on March 31, 2018.

In 2008, when all city and civic entities declined to continue as producers of this event, myself, Patrice Manget as President of the Board and Organizer, and my partner Jill Redmond, as VP, Graphic Designer and PR/Marketing Director, were obliged to form a new Board and non-profit corporation (upon learning that the previous entity allowed the existing non-profit corporation to be involuntarily dissolved by the Montana Secretary of State). This was no small feat and cost quite a bit of money to achieve, in addition to the heroic efforts of our attorney, Jim Ramlow, may all good blessings rain on his good soul!

In the face of declining funding and attendance, Jill and I gave life to this event for eight more years - from 2008 to 2016. We are VERY proud of the work we did, the Artists who gave their best, the Sponsors who gave their all, the Venues that opened their doors, the Button Sales Outlets that promoted and sold admission buttons, and the Volunteers who devoted their holiday time to make this event happen.

Our sincerest thanks and gratitude to you all!

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have an interest in forming a new board and carrying on with this beloved event. There is time until the official dissolution on March 31, 2018.

[email protected]
406.253.2471

My First Night Flathead partner's outstanding graphic design work. Would love to see more!

Contact us at [email protected] to pledge your Sponsorship for another production in 2017!

Happy New Year!

For the last eight years, the FNF Graphics Designer Jill Redmond created stunning original artwork to promote each annual event.

Let's let her know we want her to have the opportunity to create new artwork for a new production of First Night Flathead in 2017!

Take note Ken Sederdahl! KCFW included footage of last year's Kenny James Miller Band set! Cheers!

And our intrepid Face Painters Kathleen Francis and Jan Bourne.

No First Night celebration in the Flathead this year There's a big change in the Flathead this New Year’s Eve -- no First Night activities for the first time in 17 years.

To the Flathead Valley Community: We would like to hear your thoughts, ideas and comments on how we may increase financial support for FNF in order to restart this beloved festival for 2017. Please let us hear from you! Thank you!