Cherry Blossom Ball Drop Approved by Council Committee

Monday night Macon City Council approved the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop for New Year’s Eve

Council members and local businesses say this year’s party is all about keeping the fun, local.

“I did not go, I was in Atlanta last year, but my friends were here and they said it was a great time,” said Mercer Senior, Alex Walker.

Walker missed last years Cherry Blossom Ball drop but says this year is another story and he plans to be in Macon to ring in the New Year. Macon City Council passed a resolution allowing Cherry Blossom Inc. to throw their second New Year’s Eve Party and it’s an event councilman Rick Hutto believes gives people a good time right in their back yard.

“We have wonderful restaurants and bars and night clubs downtown. We also will have security there and so people can come downtown party and yet know that they’re going to secure that there are going to be police there and that the Cherry Blossom is actually going to pay for the police that evening for the extra security, so we hope that everybody will come down and keep their dollars locally,” said Hutto.

The Party will start at 9 p.m. December 31st and will last until after midnight.

Joshua Abshire, who works at Dolce Vita in downtown, says the party is great for business and a convenient way for people to have a good time.

“It would probably be quite effective as far as boosting the business downtown. People are going to do it anyway. People at New Year’s want to party and sometimes they don’t want to do it at their house, they got to clean up afterward and what not. People just want to go downtown with their friends have people serve them whatever they want and just go home and not have to worry about it,” said Abshire.

Abshire says having a New Year’s event in Macon gives people better options.

“For one you don’t want to drive out of town because then you have to stay at a hotel or risk driving intoxicated for two hours from Atlanta or Savannah, you know that’s not a great idea. So having an event in your hometown definitely seems like it would keep people here,” said Abshire.

After hearing the raves of last year’s ball drop, Alex Walker is sticking around Macon to celebrate the New Year.

“Based upon last year, the word that I heard about it has really propelled me to want to stay here this New Year. I hear it’s a lot of fun and a pretty safe environment and just good times for sure,” said Walker.

The Cherry Blossom Ball Drop Party will kick off at 9 p.m. at CherryStreetPlaza in downtown Macon.