BOSTON (AP) – Emily Kosoff wants New Year’s Eve revelers at tonight’s First Night grand procession in Boston to feel the way she did when she visited New Orleans – “magical.”

Kosoff, 17, who volunteered at a New Orleans community center on a church-sponsored trip in August shortly before Hurricane Katrina struck, is one of hundreds of performers in the “Spirit of New Orleans” parade.

“It gives you a sense of goodness in your heart that you’re doing something fun and people appreciate it,” Kosoff said.

Kosoff is a performer with the Wheelock Family Theater, whose Mardi Gras themed float features performers in carnival masks depicting kings and queens. Jazz bands, circus performers, and puppeteers are also marching.

The parade begins at Hynes Convention Center and ends at Boston Common, the site of First Night’s famous ice sculptures and will be followed by fireworks.

Officials expect 1 million people to attend First Night, which features dance, music and exhibits at 40 indoor and outdoor venues.

Northampton, Worcester, Fall River, New Bedford, Chatham, Quincy and Beverly also are hosting First Night festivities, which begin in the afternoon.

Worcester also has a Mardi Gras theme, “Arty Gras Festival.”

Elsewhere: Northampton expects 15,000 people; Cape Cod Opera performs in Chatham; Fall River hosts the Flying Wallendas circus family; horse-and-buggy rides are back in New Bedford; Quincy offers 17 venues; and Beverly expects people from throughout the North Shore.

First Night Boston executive director Geri Guardino said it was appropriate to dedicate the parade to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.

“Our grand procession was always based on a Mardi Gras style,” she said Friday on Boston Common as workers pulled unchiseled ice blocks from trucks. “First Night’s whole mission is a celebration of arts and community.”

Worcester residents Bob and Robin Nugent, in Boston for the weekend, said they have much to celebrate. Bob, 59, underwent open-heart surgery in June.

“He was given not really good odds,” said Robin, 49. “This is special. Thanksgiving was huge. Christmas was huge… 06 can only be better.”

A First Night Boston button, providing event access, costs $15. The costs vary from city to city.