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Figgy Pudding and songs of good cheer

A caroling competition will kick off the holiday season.

By JON WILSON
Published November 22, 2006

Figgy Pudding - with capital letters - will splash the city's holiday season on Dec. 2.

In a first for the city, competing caroling groups will sing in South Straub Park, all hoping to win "fabulously crazy" trophies, beginning at 4 p.m.

The Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition is free, and as judges count the votes for the best groups, the public gets to raise its own voice in a seasonal sing-along.

First Night director Pat Mason started boosting the idea after her daughter, Paisley Mason, saw a similar event last year in Seattle.

Pat Mason thought the notion would be a good way to raise holiday spirit here. She called pals at the Free Clinic. They got behind the idea.

About 15 groups will take part. Each singer will be "sponsored," as in the fashion of walkathons, by individuals who have made monetary contributions.

The money goes to help the Free Clinic and First Night.

The Free Clinic's Rebecca Russell-Gootee has the title of Figmaster - which means she is the chief coordinator.

"It has lifted my holiday spirits," she said.

"We have groups from little bitty girls who will sing as their holiday get-together party, to a group from the city, to groups from industrial and business type organizations, religious communities. It's a diverse group of individuals who are just coming together having fun," Russell-Gootee said.

The carolers will sing at stations in South Straub Park, which is across Second Avenue NE just south of the Fine Arts Museum. Members of the public can stroll from station to station and vote for their favorite groups.

Winners, Pat Mason said, will receive a "fabulously crazy trophy, a ceramic pelican with a Santa Claus cap." The pelican is named Figgy - or more formally, Figaro.

"Seattle had a moose for its mascot, but that wouldn't work in Central Florida," Mason said.

Mason also is heading into the First Night home stretch. As it did last year, the 14th alcohol-free New Year's Eve event begins with a Midday in Midtown event at 2 p.m., with musicians and puppet shows at such venues as the St. Pete Clay Company, the Manhattan Casino, the Carter G. Woodson Museum, the St. Petersburg College Campus and the Royal Theater.

The celebration continues through midnight at more than 30 downtown venues, including the waterfront.

The People's Procession goes down Central Avenue at 8 p.m. Six stages will feature a variety of music. Two fireworks shows will help light the night.

In Williams Park, Light Up the New Year will feature 36 giant illuminated paper lanterns, each one designed by local artists. Those who attend can decorate their own small paper lanterns, illuminated by a light stick. The N'Awlins Po Boys will be on the Williams Park stage.

Admission buttons are $8 for adults ($10 day of the event) and $5 for children 6-12. Children younger than 6 are free.

For information or to volunteer to help at First Night, call (727) 823-8906 or visit www.firstnightstpete.com.

[Last modified November 22, 2006, 06:47:01]