Ann-Cabell Baum Announced as Honorary Chair of WRAL First Night Raleigh 2020

Kacy Hunt, President of the Artsplosure Board of Directors, today announced that Ann-Cabell Baum will serve as the honorary chair of WRAL First Night Raleigh.

The 29th edition of the annual New Year’s Eve arts festival will take place on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, in a 20+ block area of downtown Raleigh.

In making the announcement, Hunt praised Baum’s long standing and exemplary service as member of the Artsplosure Board of Directors, including Board President. “Ann-Cabell is one of the most dynamic, enthusiastic, and influential volunteer leaders I have had the opportunity to work with on a board. When she presents an idea or gets behind one, we know it’s going to be a success!”

In her professional life as a real estate broker and agency owner, Hunt noted that Baum has been deeply involved with revitalizing downtown Raleigh and with creating one of the nation’s most livable and prosperous cities. Baum’s firm – The Glenwood Agency – has long focused on both commercial and residential development in downtown and adjacent neighborhoods.

In addition to her work on the Artsplosure Board, Baum currently serves on the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County, Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau’s The Conference Table advocacy group, Southwest Raleigh Advisory Committee, Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women, Raleigh Kiwanis Club, Downtown Living Advocates, and the Community Advisory Committee of the Raleigh Junior League, among other important civic initiatives.

WRAL First Night Raleigh festivities kick off at 2:00 p.m. with the Children’s Celebration at the N.C. Museum of History, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, and outdoors on the Bicentennial Plaza. The Fantastical Ferris Wheel and Alien Abduction Gravitron rides open to the public at 2:00 p.m. on Fayetteville Street. Opening to the public at 4:00 p.m. is the new AstroBotanical Garden of Light display at the recently renovated Moore Square. Performances on the outdoor Main Stage will commence at 6:00 p.m. as will the People’s Procession. Parents can have their children ring in the New Year with the Early Countdown at 7:00 p.m. An array of evening performances and interactive programs also begin at 7:00 p.m. in multiple indoor and outdoor venues. There will be ongoing performances on the Main Stage, with the Countdown to Midnight beginning at 10:30 p.m. and concluding at midnight with the famous Raleigh acorn drop and fireworks finale.

A complete list of the full lineup can be found at FirstNightRaleigh.com, with admission going on sale December 1 for $11* when purchased in advance (*plus local and state sales tax) at area Harris Teeter stores or online at Etix.com.