Press Releases

MONTEREY, Calif. - First Night Monterey announced today that Safeway (NYSE: SWY) has signed a three-year agreement to distribute admission buttons for the alcohol-free, New Year's Eve family celebration. In addition, Safeway has become a major contributor to First Night Monterey by donating $10,000 to the 10^th annual event, sponsoring the Safeway Main Stage at the Custom House Plaza.

"Community support is critical to the success of this program," said Thom Diggins, First Night Monterey President. "We are very grateful to Safeway for its commitment, not only to First Night, but to Monterey itself."

First Night Monterey's mission is to bring families together and unite the community in all its diversity through visual and performing arts. The nonprofit organization designs programs to broaden and deepen public appreciation of the arts by appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds.

"Safeway has a long history of supporting the communities we operate in, and we are delighted to assist with great programs such as First Night," said Alexander Winslow, Public Affairs Director for Safeway's Northern California Division. "Each year, Safeway gives more than $82 million back to the local communities where we live and work."

Inaugurated in 1993, First Night Monterey has seen considerable growth in the last decade. Its core of volunteers has grown from 50 to over 500, and the audience has increased from 9,000 to more than 35,000. Each year, attendees travel from across the state to attend this event.

First Night Monterey admission buttons will be available after November 25 at all Safeway locations throughout Monterey County. Buttons are priced at $10 through December 20, 2003, and $15 after that date. The admission button allows access to more than 125 performances consisting of musical genres, spoken word, dance, theatrical presentations and interactive art exhibitions. The program takes place over a nine-hour period throughout more than 35 venues in downtown Monterey.

Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,702 stores in the U.S. and Canada and had annual sales from continuing operations of $32.4 billion in 2002. Visit www.safeway.com for more information.

First Night Monterey, Inc is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization and a member of First Night International. The First Night concept was created in 1976 by a group of citizens in Boston, Ma. The tremendous success, year after year, now inspires millions from over 200 cities throughout the United States, Canada and beyond. Visit www.firstnightmonterey.org or call First Night Monterey at 831.373.4478 for more information.