(Dion Ogust | Almanac Weekly)
When Kingston started its new tradition of hosting a ball-drop event for the New Year’s Eve celebration of 2013/2014, Saugerties’ restaurants and night spots lost a lot of business. Many local residents went to the neighboring town to check out what Kingston was doing rather than celebrating on their home turf. So the following year (last year), Village of Saugerties trustees got together with mayor William Murphy and Saugerties Police chief Joe Sinagra to create their own “Stay Local, Stay Safe” ball-drop event for Saugerties. With an “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” philosophy, the first event went off very well last year. Despite frigid temperatures, some 800 revelers filled the streets and had a general good time enjoying the passage of another year.
Saugerties village trustee Jeannine Mayer says that they’re planning to make things even better this year for the second go-round. Many restaurants are planning special menus and will stay open late, with some providing entertainment as well. The celebration will be held on Main Street from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Music will be provided by local teenagers, deejay Riley Cornelison and the Postmodern Music Band. The Boy Scouts will give out free coffee and hot cocoa.
Mayer says that there have been some refinements of the giant ball created last year by the police chief. It will be dropped at the corner of Main and Partition Streets by the Exchange Hotel, accompanied by a countdown clock and a large video screen on the porch roof streaming the live Times Square celebration in the City. Attendees are advised to dress warmly and bring a folding chair to sit on. BYOPF (bring your own party favors) if desired.
Admission to the general festivities is free. The best place to get last-minute details is on the event’s Facebook page at “Village of Saugerties New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.”