Hundreds of thousands of people braved cold, wet weather to ring in the new year in Boston, watching fireworks, musical performances and even a marriage proposal.
Headlined by Chadwick Stokes and The Pintos, First Night Boston brought hours of celebration. Revelers rocked out as Stokes played past midnight and into 2019 at Copley Square.
During the festivities, C.J. Ahearn, a firefighter from Marlboro, Massachusetts, proposed to his girlfriend, Nicole Bigley, live on NBC10 Boston.
She said yes.
Boston Celebrates First Night
Stokes, who began playing 40 minutes before the new year, was one of many performers to take the stage.
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Earlier, former American Idol contestant Sonika Vaid, a Massachusetts native, performed, as well, talking to the audience about the weather conditions.
Another Massachusetts native familiar to television audiences, "The Voice" contestant Steve Memmolo, performed live with an acoustic guitar on NBC10 Boston.
The First Night celebration is extra special for Bostonians, as the cherished tradition started in the Hub.
"This is the 43rd year. Boston started this beloved tradition," said Dusty Rhodes, president of Conventures Inc. of Boston.
Mayor Marty Walsh gave his thoughts on the strong turnout.
"I think people love to celebrate First Night, and I think a lot of people in Boston realize and know that this is the first one in the country, ever, here in Boston. We started this," Walsh said. "There's families from all over the Commonwealth of Massachusetts here tonight."
Festivities started at noon on Monday, where Vaid offered indoor entertainment inside the Boston Public Library. Events were offered throughout the day at the library, as well as Copley Square.
A new addition to the festivities is an effort to support charities, with this year focusing on helping women and girls in the area. For more information on how to donate, click here.
