Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The City of Buffalo is getting ready for another massive New Year's Eve celebration at the Electric Tower in the city's Theatre District to kick off 2024.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced on Thursday details for the 36th Annual Buffalo Ball Drop and Fireworks Celebration at the Electric Tower, presented by M&T Bank.
This year's celebration will begin at 10 p.m. EST on Sunday, Dec. 31 in Roosevelt Plaza, and will feature live music by The Strictly Hip and Saxophonist Will Holton. The festivities will conclude with the traditional ball drop at midnight, followed by fireworks to say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024.
"Buffalo's New Year's Eve gathering is the second-largest celebration like this in New York State, and the City of Buffalo is proud to be the largest supporter of this annual event," said Mayor Brown on Thursday. "Throughout New Year's Eve, we will have police officers, firefighters, parking and [Department of Public Works] crews stationed at Roosevelt Plaza to ensure that all remain safe and festive."
Once again, the New Year’s Eve Ball will descend from atop Iskalo Development’s historic Electric Tower.
"This tradition was brought to Western New York by 97 Rock in 1987, with the lowering of a New Year's Eve time ball down the face of the Electric Tower. Iskalo Development's involvement with the Buffalo Ball Drop began in 2004 with our purchase of this property, so 2024 marks our 20th anniversary of ownership of the Electric Tower, as well as our company's involvement with this important Western New York New Year's Eve tradition," stated Paul Iskalo, founder and CEO of Iskalo Development Corp. "A lot has changed in downtown since our purchase of the building some 20 years ago. But one thing that has remained, and gets better every year, is this tradition of ringing in the New Year by lowering a time ball down the face of the Electric Tower, and celebrating New Year's Eve with a spectacular fireworks display launched from the roof of our building. So please join us downtown on New Year's Eve in Roosevelt Plaza to ring in 2024 together."
The presentation of the "Countdown to 2024" HD telecast will be presented by WKBW-TV, a co-sponsor of the NYE Ball Drop event since the first one in 1988 – when 97 Rock offered the New Year’s Eve Ball as a gift to the City of Buffalo.
DJ Jickster will be on stage at Roosevelt Square, rocking Buffalo into the New Year. WKBW anchors Ed Drantch and Katie Morse will be serving up some New Year’s Eve fun from the studio starting at 10 p.m. EST with live check ins with WKBW weekend anchor Taylor Epps, who will be stationed at Roosevelt Square.
The Police Athletic League (PAL) of Buffalo will also be highlighted during this time.
"I want to also remind everyone that Ball Drop is an important fundraiser for the Police Athletic League," Mayor Brown said. "Our children are our future, and PAL provides important year-round athletic and enrichment programs to help ensure that over 20,000 city youth get the support they need to thrive and to grow."
For more information, go to buffalopal.com/fundraising.
At 10:30 p.m. EST, the WKBW broadcast will switch back to "Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" with Ryan Seacrest. That celebration will lead up to midnight, at which time both celebrations in New York City and Buffalo will be highlighted on the screen.
Free parking is available at nearby Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps – Mohawk Ramp and Fernbach Ramp - courtesy of Mayor Brown, The Buffalo Board of Parking and Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps.
"No matter how you celebrate the start of the New Year, I hope you can be surrounded by family and friends," Mayor Brown added. "It's such a blessing to live in Buffalo, and although we have faced our share of challenges this past year, the kindness, courage and resilience that our community has shown, we are, again, a daily testament to the wonderful community that we live in. A community where people continue to look beyond their own interests, and to care for others. Let's carry that same uplifting spirit into the New Year to further strengthen and beautify our great city."
A test drop of the NYE Ball will be held at 535 Washington Street, in front of the Electric Tower on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 12 p.m. EST, when crews hoist the specially designed ball to the top of the tower, testing the hundreds of special lights and timing the descent.