Oh sure, you can go to New York City on New Year’s Eve and get claustrophobically corralled inside the barricades at Time Square along with a million other people to watch the Swarovski-crystal-laden ball drop, but wouldn’t you rather skip all the hubbub and stay close to home for a ball drop of a different kind? The village of Saugerties is launching a brand-new version of a New Year’s Eve celebration on Wednesday, December 31 with its own ball drop at the stroke of midnight, led up to by an evening of festivities throughout the village.
Intriguingly enough, the ball was created by Saugerties Police chief Joseph Sinagra (how many towns have a crime-fighting chief who is also capable of pulling off this kind of do-it-yourself project?). The materials used are still a secret as of presstime, but photographs of the ball reveal it to be quite lovely, reminiscent of an old-fashioned Christmas tree ornament. It appears to be made of steel of some sort in an airy filigree pattern, and we’re told that it lights up from the inside. It will be dropped from a crane, according to village trustee Jeannine Mayer, by mayor William Murphy and the police chief at a location near the intersection of Main and Partition Streets.
The whole event, she said, has been designed as a family-friendly affair under the “stay local and stay safe” banner, a bit of friendly competition with Kingston’s relatively new ball-drop event; after all, why lose business to a nearby town when Saugerties has plenty of restaurants and businesses that can keep people well-entertained closer to home?
Main Street between Partition and Market Streets will be closed off to traffic from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Party favors will be available at various locations, and area businesses will get into the spirit in their own way. There will be a performance from SebSi Studio on the outdoor stage in front of the studio at 252 Main Street from 10:30 to 11 p.m. Live music by the band 90 Proof starts at 11 p.m. on the bandstand located across from Smith Hardware; or for a $5 cover charge, people can come and go from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at SebSi Studio, where a family-appropriate deejay event will be held with lasers, lights, foggers and of course, music. DJ Caviar (Van Bolle, co-owner of DIG boutique) and DJ Eric (Rebis, also a local resident and a career deejay), will play techno, EDM [electronic dance music] and house music.
Out on the streets, Boy Scout Troop 36 will have beverages, noisemakers and donuts available for purchase, proceeds of which benefit their programs.
There will be (at minimum) drink specials at Mirabellas restaurant, the Pig Bar & Grill, the Dutch Ale House and the Exchange Hotel, and Main Street Restaurant is having a Black & White Party with specials. The kitchen will be open until midnight. Alcohol will only be permitted in “Solo” cups during the celebrations in the village.
The Tango Café will have a three-course prix fixe $50 dinner with champagne and deejay, Love Bites Café will have a four-course prix fixe $50 dinner with champagne at midnight and Miss Lucy’s Kitchen will have a five-course $60 dinner. The Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern will serve from a gala á la carte menu from 5 to 11 p.m., accompanied by a pianist all evening. All have limited seating, so be sure to call for reservations.
There’s a Facebook page established for updates at “Village of Saugerties New Year’s Eve Ball Drop,” and for those looking to Twitter, do it at SaugertiesNYEve. Instagrammers can use saugertiesnyeve.
New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, Wednesday, December 31, 12 midnight, Main/Partition Streets, festivities 10 p.m.-1 a.m., Village of Saugerties; (845) 246-2321, www.village.saugerties.ny.us.
Join the family! 
