I must admit after attending my first First Night celebration in downtown Orangeville, I left a little underwhelmed to say the least.

My own personal philosophy has always been “if you’re going to do something, do it right,” but I’m not sure if that mantra is shared by the Town of Orangeville.

Aside from sub-zero temperatures, which made the outdoor activities a little uncomfortable regardless of how warm you dressed, there just didn’t seem to be much going on.

I felt sorry for the bands playing outside; it was just so cold. There were portable heaters on each side of the stage and at times, band members took turns putting down their instruments to warm up while others played on.

Inside town hall there were a variety of activities for the kids, like face painting and balloon animals, while magicians and other entertainers took the stage upstairs in the theatre.

Town hall was crowded even though attendance was down from last year, I was told. There was more room to manoeuvre outside, which was understandable as many sought the warmth of the inside venue.

But, the capper of the night in terms of disappointment came from the fireworks display. I don’t want to be mean but it bordered on pathetic.

Lasting only a few minutes, the display consisted of a few meagre bursts of light, a couple of loud booms and a few oversized sparklers lighting up the sky.

Murmurs of disappointment rippled through the crowd with a few “that’s it?” “that one must have been a dud,” and a few other fairly disdainful comments.

The town had issued a news release prior to the event bragging about the new company it hired to put on the fireworks this year. I’m not sure if it was a case of “you get what you paid for” or if the fireworks company perhaps padded its credentials a little. Maybe the cold had something to do with it.

In a way, the town is almost better off not hosting fireworks if the display is going to be that bad. In the world of show business, the goal is to leave them wanting more rather than being dragged off in defeat.

Another thing missing from the evening was Mayor Rob Adams. Just before it was time for the fireworks, various dignitaries were called to the stage of the outdoor bandstand.

Dufferin-Caledon MP David Tilson was there, as was Orangeville Coun. Sylvia Bradley and Town Crier Betty Kading, who “here ye, here ye’d” in the new year.

Perhaps the mayor had family plans or other obligations (I sent an email asking but hadn’t heard back by deadline), but given the negative press he’s received in the past few months, it might not have been a bad idea to make an appearance.

“Out with the old, in with the new” is probably a good strategy for Adams and the rest of council to follow for 2009. However, given the preliminary discussions of the salary committee it appointed last year, which doesn’t seem to be finding a lot of justification for the massive raises council voted to give itself, we might just yet see a better display of fireworks.

Tracey Duguay is the managing editor of The Banner. Email tduguay@orangevillebanner.com.