Opening Night 2008

Thousands gathered in downtown Oklahoma City to celebrate the New Year at "Opening Night 2008."

The Flaming Lips, a native Oklahoma City band, was among the many artists and musicians who performed Friday night. Organizers of the event were hoping to top last year's attendance of 68,000.

"If you're not inside a building, then on the outside we have performers, fireworks . . . lights, it's a huge, huge event," said, Opening Night 2008 director Lindsey Pever.