UPDATED: PHOTOS: First Night Attractions Take Shape in State College

UPDATED @ 5:05 p.m. Dec. 31: Additional photos taken in downtown State College have been added to the gallery below.

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Encouraged in part by mild weather, New Year revelers began congregating early Saturday in downtown State College for the town’s annual First Night festivities.

Temperatures had climbed into the high 30s by late morning, and sunshine began to poke through a cloudy sky shortly before noon. On South Allen Street, ice sculptors with DiMartino Ice Co. were turning walls of ice into frosty art.

Their larger-than-life ice sculptures, carved as visitors look on, are among the top attractions at First Night, a community-oriented, alcohol-free celebration. Events will kick into high gear as the day goes on.

Additional First Night information is available via the links below. Several photos snapped Saturday morning and afternoon in State College are in the gallery below.

Earlier coverage

• VIDEO: Downtown Camera Provides Live Look into First Night State College (Dec. 31, 2011)
  

• First Night State College Combines Crystalline Showcase, Diverse Performing Arts (Dec. 29, 2011)

• StateCollege.com’s First Night State College guide

• First Night Grand Procession, Resolution Run to Affect State College Traffic (Dec. 28, 2011)

• 2010 PHOTOS: Warm Weather Helps Draw Large Crowds to First Night State College (Jan. 1, 2011)