Ringing In First Night in Fullerton : Celebration: The arts- and family-oriented event draws thousands to downtown streets.

Strolling hand-in-hand downtown, newlyweds Raul and Heather Castro marked the beginning of a new tradition.

“We’re planning to make coming here a family thing every year,” said Heather Castro, a 21-year-old local restaurant worker.

The Castros were among thousands who filled the streets Saturday night at the fourth annual First Night Fullerton celebration.

Nearly 100 shows and activities unfolded on downtown sidewalks, parking lots and nearby buildings at the city’s arts-oriented, nonalcoholic alternative to traditional New Year’s Eve festivities.

Vivi Avila, 68, of Orange said he chose to celebrate with his family because of the event’s emphasis on “good, clean fun.”

“I found out about this through a friend and I thought ‘God, that’s fabulous,’ ” said Avila, as he strolled through the festival grounds with his wife, daughter and three young grandchildren. “There’s really nothing for families to do on New Year’s Eve. I didn’t want to go somewhere where everyone would be drinking--especially not with the kids.”

The concept for “First Night” began in Boston in 1976 as an effort to broaden public appreciation of the visual and performing arts while offering an alternative to the New Year’s Eve parties that focus on drinking.

About 100 cities nationwide sponsor similar festivals. Fullerton is the only Orange County city that hosts the celebration.

This year’s event began at 7 p.m. with a “People’s Parade,” as hundreds of revelers marched two blocks wearing party hats and twirling noisemakers behind a marching band.

Entertainment was provided throughout the evening by musical groups, including Vitamin L, Harmonica Fats & Bernie Pearl, the Doctor’s Band and the Chris Abernathy Trio. There also were dancers representing different styles and cultures, comedians and theatrical performers.

Children lined up to get their faces painted. Others rode ponies. A variety of artists displayed their paintings.

“This is fun,” said Becky Polee, 13, while waiting to sing on the karaoke stage. “My parents let me and my brother come here because they knew it would be safe and there would be no drunks.”

Other visitors were looking for more action.

“I think this is a great party for kids, but I expected more--a lot more bands, a lot of booze and a lot more people my age,” said Karsten Otte, 23, a Cal State Northridge exchange student from Germany. “My friends and I are going to look for more fun somewhere else.”

Naomi Rivera of Fullerton didn’t share that opinion. She had walked to the festivities from home looking for a low-key celebration.

“I didn’t want to be out on the road or around alcohol,” she said, “Here I’m having some good fun.”