Entries Open for First Night® Buffalo Talent Competition

Children ages 5-17 are invited to submit short videos to be part of the Independent Health Foundation’s New Year’s Eve festivities

It’s time again for Western New York kids to show off their skills! For the third year, First Night Buffalo’s Talent Competition is accepting entries now through Sunday, Nov. 3 from children ages 5 to 17 to be part of this year’s online celebration.

Kids from across Western New York can submit their talent as individuals or small groups in four different categories – vocal competition, instrumental competition, dance competition, and an open skills competition (magic, tricks, etc.) – in video clips that last 60-90 seconds. Past entries have included solving a Rubik’s cube, martial arts demonstrations, and even original song compositions.

Submissions, along with a parent or guardian signed waiver, can be made at www.firstnightbuffalo.org/ talent. The website includes a full listing of rules and requirements along with a link to view last year’s top entries.

“The talent competition has become one of the best parts of our First Night Buffalo online show, and we’re excited to bring it back to help us ring in 2025,” said Carrie Meyer, executive director, Independent Health Foundation. “This is another exciting way for families to engage in activities that help create strong, vibrant, and healthy communities. We can’t wait to see the creativity this year.”

Top videos selected by the First Night Buffalo Committee will be posted as part of the free entertaining line-up of performances and activities for First Night® Buffalo on December 31 online at www.firstnightbuffalo.org.

Plus, the top contenders will be eligible to win cash prizes.

All videos submitted must be accompanied by a submission form available online that includes verification of a parent or guardian’s permission. Absolutely no profanity or insensitive subject matter will be permitted. All submissions will be screened for appropriateness by the First Night Buffalo Committee whose decisions are considered final. Complete rules and requirements to submit a video are available online at www.firstnightbuffalo.org/.

First Night® Buffalo

First Night® Buffalo, brought to you by the Independent Health Foundation in partnership with the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, will feature an entertaining line-up of free performances and activities accessible online at www.firstnightbuffalo.org on December 31. First Night® Family Party Packs, including everything a family of four needs to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, will be going on sale at select Tops Friendly Markets in early December.

First Night® Buffalo, one of the Independent Health Foundation’s signature events, will mark its 36th year as an event full of activities and entertainment for the entire family.

Independent Health Foundation

The Independent Health Foundation works to improve the health and wellbeing of Western New York residents through awareness, prevention, education and other programs focused on community health priorities.

The Independent Health Foundation was founded in 1992 after the original organizers of First Night® Buffalo asked Independent Health to become a sponsor. After the third year of First Night®, the Independent Health Foundation was founded to begin producing the event and has continued to develop all its programs and initiatives for the past 30 years.

For more information about the Independent Health Foundation, visit: www.independenthealth foundation.org