Downtown Traverse City // New Year's Eve 2011
Join Us New Year's Eve!
Downtown Traverse City will be packed with event goers for the 3 annual CherryT Ball Drop. Right before Midnight a large illuminated cherry will be lowered to signify the coming year! It all starts at 9pm with live entertainment, DJ, a visit from the Coast Guard and other surprises!
Committee Members
Cristal Wilcox,
CFO Cherry T Ball Drop
Dean Rose,
Windstorm Marketing
Email Dean
Thom & Becky Darga, Nick Darga
Darga Works
Pam Marsh
Red Ginger
Tonya Wildfong
Elmers Crane and Dozer
Donate Today
Help support the CherryT Ball Drop so we can bring it back year after year!
Donate TodaySponsors
Contact
Leave a Reply
Frequently Asked Questions About the CherryT Ball Drop
How did the CherryT Ball Drop get started?
What drops at midnight on New Year's Eve?
Who can attend the celebration?
Is there a charge for the event?
Are there any street closings we should be aware of?
If we are North of Front Street, how do we get to the CherryT Ball Drop?
What about the one way alley north and parallel to Front Street and east of Cass St?
What about the two way alley that runs parallel just north of Front Street and west of Cass St?
What about parking in the Farmer's Market?
What about the Chamber of Commerce Building?
Who benefits from the non-perishable food items?
What was last year's attendance?
Are there public restrooms available?
Are there any restricted areas?
Are there going to be fireworks?
Is there a Reserve Seating Area?
Who is the CherryT Ball Drop?
The Traverse City New Year's Eve CherryT Ball drop is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization (ID 45-2569263) that holds an annual celebration on December 31, 2011. The non-profit organization raises money and collects non-perishable food items while people party for a purpose in Traverse City's own version of Time Square.
What does CherryT stand for?
CherryT is a play on words for Charity and the cherry, a symbol of the Traverse City region, which grows about 75% of the nations tart cherry crop each year.
How did the CherryT Ball Drop get started?
There was a small group of individuals that wanted to do something fun and give back at the same time. These volunteers continue to give significant amounts of time, money, and energy to make sure this event continues into the future.
What drops at midnight on New Year's Eve?
A lit Cherry of course.
Where is the celebration?
At the downtown intersection of Front Street and Cass Street in Traverse City, Michigan.
Who can attend the celebration?
Anyone is welcome. The intention is a family friendly event that all can enjoy.
Is alcohol available?
This is a family friendly event with no open alcohol containers allowed on city streets. Many nearby bars and restaurants would love to have you stop in for service.
When is the event?
Music and entertainment start at 9:30 pm on December 31st and run until just after midnight.
Is there a charge for the event?
A monetary donation or non-perishable food item is greatly appreciated. We are trying to raise awareness and fill local food pantry shelves with non-perishable food items, at a time when pantry supplies are dangerously low. Let's party for a purpose!
Where should we park?
Please park in the two available parking decks. The Larry C Hardy Deck is between Front St and State St, east of Park St and the Old Towne Parking Deck is between 7th St and 8th St, west of Cass. Both decks will stay open past midnight to accommodate drivers.
Are there any street closings we should be aware of?
Cass Street will be closed between the Grandview Parkway and Front Street. The Cass Street under tunnel will be closed to pedestrian traffic. Please note there is no vehicle or pedestrian traffic allowed on Cass Street due to public safety zones for CherryT Ball Drop celebration.
If we are North of Front Street, how do we get to the CherryT Ball Drop?
If you park north of Front Street, you will need to walk West to Union Street or East to Park Street to access the Front Street celebration.
What about the public walkway over the bridge at the Farmer's market and between Pangea's Pizza and Kilwin's Chocolates?
This walkway will be open to the public.
What about the one way alley north and parallel to Front Street and east of Cass St?
Due to the closing at Cass St., this alley will be closed to traffic. Business and building owners/occupants will have access only. Please find an alternate route.
What about the two way alley that runs parallel just north of Front Street and west of Cass St?
Due to the closing at Cass St. this alley will have limited access off Union Street. Please find an alternate route.
What about parking in the Farmer's Market?
There is limited parking available. Cass St from Grandview Parkway to Front Street will be closed to car AND pedestrian traffic. Please use the public bridge and walkway or Union Street to access Front Street.
What about the Marina?
Marina parking has some public parking areas. However, the Cass Street tunnel will be closed to pedestrian traffic. Please use Union Street to access Front Street.
What about the Chamber of Commerce Building?
There is public limited parking available at the Chamber of Commerce building. However, Cass St will be closed to all pedestrian AND car traffic between the Grandview Parkway and Front Street. Please use Park Street to access Front Street.
Who benefits from the non-perishable food items?
The Goodwill Inn receives the majority of the non-perishable food items and monetary donations. We are looking to grow the event to allow partnership with other local food pantries and help as many as possible with this event.
How much did you raise?
Last New Year's Eve, community generosity raised enough food and donations for 4,400 meals.
How far does the Cherry drop?
The cherry drops from over the downtown skyline starting at 115 ft. in the air to just above the stage backdrop.
What was last year's attendance?
The unscientific estimate was between 5,000 to 8,000 people attended.
Are there public restrooms available?
There are port-a-potty restrooms available at each entrance to the event (Cass St and State St, Park St and Front St, and Union St. and Front St.) for those "have to go" emergencies. Due to crowds, port-a-potty restrooms are not able to be placed closer to the Cass St. and Front St. intersection. Note: it's cold, the port-a-potty restrooms are outdoors, and the seats are not heated – go before you come down.
Is there entertainment?
Yes. A lit stage, local acts, and a DJ bring in the new year with music and entertainment.
Are there police present?
Yes. The Traverse City Police Department will have several officers on hand to supervise the festivities.
Are there any restricted areas?
Yes. Please respect the yellow barricades for police access, fire exits, and fireworks safety zones required by local and state laws.
Are there going to be fireworks?
Yes, a short fireworks display is planned. If the wind is greater than 14 mph the fireworks display will be cancelled.
Is there a Reserve Seating Area?
There is a limited number of VIP seating available for purchase prior to the event. Visit below to purchase your tickets.
Reserve Your Seating
Reserve seating is now sold out!