Ball Drop Ready to Drop on New Year’s Eve

After some concern the party might be over, downtown Marquette is going to be just as festive next week for New Year’s Eve as it’s always been.

As of this morning, the Downtown Development Authority was about 80% of the way to the ball drop fundraising goal of

AS OF THIS MORNING, THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WAS 80 PERCENT OF THE WAY TO THE BALL DROP FUNDRAISING GOAL.

But they went over the top this morning.

The owner of Fat Boyz Bar & Grill chipped in $1,000, which was enough to meet the goal.

The ceremony at the old Savings Bank building used to be paid for by the city and the owners of the building.

In 2006, the City Commission stopped funding it due to tight finances.

Last year, the Downtown Marquette Association said businesses didn’t receive enough of a boost in customers to make the ball drop worthwhile.

But Lang says that’s not the case, with business owners getting a lift from people outside of the Marquette area who come in for the ball drop.

The event is celebrating its 20th anniversary a week from Wednesday.

Nearby downtown streets will once again be blocked off for pedestrian traffic.