Buffalo Ball Drop goes virtual

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Like most every other major event this year, the New Year's Eve ball drop at the Iskalo Electric Tower will be virtual.

With the pandemic still in place, there will be no crowds at this year's ball drop. "In a year of cancellations, there's one party that can't be postponed," says Mayor Byron Brown. Brown says this will be the first time the event at Roosevelt Square will not invite the public to come down.

"Buffalo Place Inc. and our Board of Directors are pleased to once again partner with Mayor Byron W. Brown, Buffalo Police Athletic League, WKBW-TV, and Iskalo Development on the 33rd Annual Buffalo Ball Drop," said Michael T. Schmand, Executive Director of Buffalo Place Inc. "Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, M&T
Bank, for working with us to support the re-envisioned New Year's celebration. We look forward to a wonderful presentation of the kick-off to 2021 in the heart of Downtown Buffalo."

C. Michael Zabel, Group Vice President, Public Relations, at M&t Bank, stated, "It's finally time to drop the ball on 2020. It's been a difficult and challenging year, but we're confident that—together—we can and will recover, rebuild and regain our momentum! And we're optimistic that, this time next year, we'll be gathering under the Electric Tower to celebrate a successful new year together in person!
"Iskalo Development is pleased, once again, to host the 33rd consecutive Ball Drop at the historic Electric Tower", stated Paul B. Iskalo, Founder & CEO of Iskalo Development Corp. "The Ball Drop is a long-standing and important Buffalo tradition. This year, even more so than in years past, we hope that it will serve as a
harbinger of better things to come for the residents of our great city who endured so much this past year."

PAL Executive Director Nekia Kemp stated, "The Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Inc. and the PAL Board of Directors would like to thank the generous Sponsors of this year's NYEBall Drop along with the caring citizens of Buffalo and Western New York for supporting this critical fundraising initiative for PAL sports and enrichment
programs that will help keep our City's youth healthy, active, and engaged in learning activities in the New Year. We are honored to be the recipient of the proceeds that will be raised for Buffalo PAL on NYE!"

The event will be televised on Channel 7.