The Ice Ball started last year when Steve Poland wanted to do something fun with friends.
"I thought 'Buffalo doesn't have anything like this,'" he said.
The original plan was for 20 friends to ring in 2009 at Delaware Park's Marcy Casino. That number turned into 50, and that number exploded to 500.
"I was completely sold out three weeks before New Year's, and people were calling, begging for tickets. I couldn't just create more room for them," he joked.
Steve is originally from Buffalo, but spent several years living throughout the country.
"I lived in Boston, Houston, Austin, Denver, all over. When I came home I wanted to be a part of Buffalo's re-growth."
And now Steve Poland's vision has exploded in number again. This year's festivities will take place at the Statler, and allow for over 1,000 attendees.
Guests are invited to attend dinner, catered by the Park Lane, which takes place before the 9:00 party time. You can choose between a filet and chicken meal, or vegetarian.
This year's party will also include "prom-style" professional pictures, ice sculptures, live music by The Michael Bly Band and a DJ spinning great dancing music.
Tickets are $95 for the party only, and $125 for dinner. Each ticket is all-inclusive, with a premium liquor open bar, Flying Bison beer, and free valet parking.
Steve has also graciously offered Buffalo Rising readers a discount. Enter the discount code "Rising" when you purchase your tickets through The Ice Ball website, and receive $5 off all tickets to the party.
See you at Buffalo's classiest New Year's party! (For more info, click on the link above, or click here so you don't have to scroll all the way back up).
(Top image: 2008-2009's Ice Ball Celebration at Marcy Casino)
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"I thought 'Buffalo doesn't have anything like this,'" he said.
The original plan was for 20 friends to ring in 2009 at Delaware Park's Marcy Casino. That number turned into 50, and that number exploded to 500.
"I was completely sold out three weeks before New Year's, and people were calling, begging for tickets. I couldn't just create more room for them," he joked.
Steve is originally from Buffalo, but spent several years living throughout the country.
"I lived in Boston, Houston, Austin, Denver, all over. When I came home I wanted to be a part of Buffalo's re-growth."
And now Steve Poland's vision has exploded in number again. This year's festivities will take place at the Statler, and allow for over 1,000 attendees.
Guests are invited to attend dinner, catered by the Park Lane, which takes place before the 9:00 party time. You can choose between a filet and chicken meal, or vegetarian.
This year's party will also include "prom-style" professional pictures, ice sculptures, live music by The Michael Bly Band and a DJ spinning great dancing music.
Tickets are $95 for the party only, and $125 for dinner. Each ticket is all-inclusive, with a premium liquor open bar, Flying Bison beer, and free valet parking.
Steve has also graciously offered Buffalo Rising readers a discount. Enter the discount code "Rising" when you purchase your tickets through The Ice Ball website, and receive $5 off all tickets to the party.
See you at Buffalo's classiest New Year's party! (For more info, click on the link above, or click here so you don't have to scroll all the way back up).
(Top image: 2008-2009's Ice Ball Celebration at Marcy Casino)
I'll be selling insurance policies on your $125 investment should a fight break out and shuts down the event....