ALLEGAN, Mich. — New Year's Day is almost here, meaning there will be plenty of New Year's Eve parties.
ALLEGAN
In downtown Allegan, a team was setting up the stage for the New Year's Eve Party on Friday. Organizers say they added a new feature this year, so they feel like they're in New York City when the ball drops.
"So each year, obviously, we have wonderful entertainment acts each and every year, but we want to keep it fresh. We switch it up. We have a new act each year. So this year's live band is Project 90," Downtown Allegan Manager Parker Johnson said.
A new band isn't the only change this year for Allegan's New Year's Eve party.
"So this year we've culminated, of course, at the ball drop at midnight, and that's been accompanied by fireworks this year. We're taking a little bit quieter approach and kind of taking the lead of Times Square and shooting confetti out over the crowd. So we will launch confetti right as the ball hits the ground and launch confetti over the crowd from the crane that drops the ball," Johnson said.
MUSKEGON
It's not only the city hosting a big party. This will be Muskegon's first time ever hosting a New Year's Eve ball drop.
"We have free hot coffee, cocoa, and cider on site. And then at 12am, the ball will drop a huge LED ball, and then 60 seconds worth of fireworks," Lakeshore Legacy Project Co-Founder Joy Puffer said.
These big events are also big boosts for West Michigan businesses.
"I love the chance to see this small town get filled up. And just people to embrace it. I like seeing when the streets are packed, and New Year's Eve is one of those opportunities," Tilt Owner Ben Otis said.
This will be Allegan's newest restaurant, the Tilt's, which will be open for the party for the first time.
"So I enjoy seeing Allegan being embraced as a city by others who maybe don't come down here quite as often as some of us do," Otis said.
And with the weather looking better than in previous years— Allegan is ready to host thousands of people.
"We've just seen the crowds build and build. We usually have around 2,500 to 3,000 people right at the culmination of the ball drops," Johnson added.
The parties in Muskegon and Allegan both start at 8 p.m.
In Muskegon, Rad Dad’s Tacos & Tequila Bar is hosting a clothing drive from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.
READ MORE: Organization hosts Muskegon's first-ever NYE celebration
SOUTH HAVEN
South Haven has a day full of activities planned on Sunday.
"What makes South Haven different than most ball drops is that we don't drop just one ball, we drop 1,000, literally 1,000 beach balls," said Jennifer Sistrunk, executive director of The South Haven Visitors Bureau. "So every year that you come, you'll get a unique beach ball to remember your time in South Haven during New Year's Eve."
Downtown streets will be closed to make way for the celebration. The event will run from noon to 1 a.m.
"One of the newest things that to happen to our community in general is we adopted a social district. So from noon to eight o'clock, you can step into a participating restaurant or brewery and enjoy a beverage and shop downtown," Sistrunk said.
There will also be zip-lining, a scavenger hunt, prizes, and Michigan Autobots. Sistrunk says they're similar to Transformers, they shoot smoke, dance, and are 10 feet tall.
There will be parties and activities just for kids for a small fee. "You could go to the South Haven Center for the Arts for their kid's celebration. Or you could go to the Children's Museum, and they have a new New Year's Eve party there as well," she said.
The South Haven Visitors Bureau has been hosting this celebration for the last five years. Sistrunk says if the weather stays nice, she has a feeling the turnout will be great.
New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in downtown Grand Haven
- 8 p.m. to midnight
- Washington Avenue & First Street
- Free family-friendly event
- Includes a fireworks showing following the ball drop
- Click here for more information
Kalamazoo New Year’s Fest
- 6 p.m. to midnight
- Bronson Park
- Free family-friendly event
- Live music, performers and entertainment
- Click here for more information
New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Ludington
- 9 p.m. to midnight
- Taking place at Legacy Plaza
- Free family-friendly event
- Includes a fireworks show following the ball drop
- Click here for more information
Griffins New Year’s Eve Celebration in Grand Rapids
- 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.)
- Van Andel Arena
- Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Cleveland Monsters
- Post-game fireworks and open skate
- Tickets are required
- Click here for more information
Cedar's New Year's Springing Eve Ball Drop
- Midnight ball drop on Main Street between Cherry & Maple in Cedar Springs
- Several activities downtown from 9 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
- Moonlight shopping events
- Illuminated dance contest
- Drinks in the social district
- Firepits in several locations
- Click here for more information
