Marquette Ball Drop

Every New Year’s Eve since 1989, the Marquette Downtown Development Authority has held a ball drop from the old Savings Bank building at Front and Washington Streets.

The 24th annual ball drop will take place Monday night, and preparations have gone well.

The fundraising effort to put on the event often comes down to the last minute, but the DDA has not had to raise as much money for the ball drop this year as usual.

DDA marketing and events coordinator Emily Lanctot says both the city of Marquette and the Marquette County Convention and Visitors Bureau both contributed money toward the ball drop costs.

The city and the owners of the Savings Bank building used to pay for the ball drop every year.

In 2006, the City Commission stopped funding it due to tight finances, but the city began contributing money again last year.

The family–friendly, alcohol–free event usually attracts at least 5,000 people.

The Marquette Police Department will keep an eye on the crowds and help move the party safely into the New Year.

As part of that effort, some of the downtown streets will be closed to traffic that night.

Washington Street from Third to Lakeshore and Front Street from Main to Bluff will be off limits to vehicles from 11 pm to 1 am.