New Year's Eve is just around the bend and if you haven't already thought about it, you might want to start figuring out what your plans will be. Will you head to a bar? Will you stay at home? Will you go over to a friend's? Where will you be is almost as important a question as who you will be with when the clock strikes midnightde and the rare opportunity to steal a kiss presents itself. It can be a night of romance, of crazy partying, or just a good time, but the best place to experience all of those things on your New Year's Eve is downtown.
The 21st annual Buffalo Ball Drop takes place in front of the Electric Tower on New Year's Eve. This ball drop is now one of the largest in the country and happens simultaneously with New York City's ball drop. Why watch it happen on television when you can be there as its happening, blowing your noise maker while wearing a funny hat that's really only useful for one night of the year? The event is hosted by Larry Norton of 97 Rock (WGRF-FM) and after the ball finishes its descent, you get treated to a fifteen minute fireworks display from all points of the Electric Tower set and timed to classic rock music - it doesn't get much better than that.
What's more is if you've been following the saga of the UB Bulls football team, you might be excited to know that this year's party will honor the team with a special video segment. UB's president John Simpson will introduce it while he's joined by basketball coach Reggie Witherspoon and other sports team members from the university. The UB Bulls themselves will have to settle for watching it on television. They'll be up in Toronto, preparing for the big battle against U Conn.
The ball drop attracts some 40,000 people to the downtown area and though that number might deter you from coming down, don't let the crowd stop you. There's nothing like ringing in the New Year surrounded by 39,999 cheering people. Plus, the night Is even family-friendly with fun First Night Buffalo activities at the Convention Center from 5 until 10 PM. The ball drop follows at 10:30 PM and 97 Rock's station deejay Dave "DJ Jickster" Gick will play music from the New Era Cap Stage while a presentation plays that looks back over the past year.
As iconic as any fireworks celebration in America...