You might lose 10 pounds. You might quit smoking. You might land a better job. New Year’s resolutions are a speculative business. But if you attend the downtown Spokane festivities on Saturday, you will have fun on the “first night” of the new year.

First Night Spokane is celebrating its fifth birthday, and about 25,000 of its closest friends are planning to attend the party. This family-friendly celebration that incorporates music, dance, art and just plain goofy fun has thrived in a city that’s perfectly suited for it. Driving the event are its 900 volunteers who labor all year for this one-night bash.

For many people, First Night has redefined the New Year’s Eve celebration. No more baby sitters. No more hangovers. No more sitting on the sidelines as Dick Clark reports on the revelry in far-flung cities. For 12 bucks an adult, an amazing array of entertainment awaits. Kids attend free.

As one parent said last year: “Spokane really knows how to do a celebration. The kids are running and playing, having a great time. You can’t beat it.”

The beauty of the event is that you can approach it from many angles.

If you have kids, you can show up in the afternoon and begin producing the posters, hats and instruments for use in the parade.

If you’re a teen, you can jam with a variety of bands at the Convention Center’s Eleventh Hour party.

Careful planners can plot a course that takes them to particular events and exhibits. Spontaneous revelers can take serendipitous journeys around downtown streets and in the skywalks.

Half the fun is stumbling upon surprises. Kids in hilarious hats. Adults dancing – we think that’s dancing – with abandon. Artists sculpting blocks of ice. People running into old friends. The atmosphere is festive but safe. The event is alcohol-free.

If you haven’t been downtown in a while, you’ll be surprised by the changes and the progress. The area has undergone a steady renaissance, and First Night is a great way to show it off. It has quickly joined Bloomsday, Hoopfest and Pig Out in the Park as an annual community celebration.

The first First Night was held in Boston in 1976. Many communities across the country have joined in, but some have been unable to sustain enough enthusiasm and support. We see a long run for First Night in Spokane, because it is infused with a rich sense of community.

Which brings us back to those volunteers. We tip our goofy hats, if not our glasses, to the people who believe enough in this region’s spirit and possibilities to sacrifice their time year-round, so we can have a blast on the first night of the new year.