New Year's Eve Celebrations In Middle Georgia

We have reached the end of 2014 and time to welcome in the New Year.

If you want to start the New Year outside, there are multiple events going on in Middle Georgia.

In Macon, it's the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop.

The sixth annual event kicks off at 7 pm at the Cherry Street Plaza.

The ball drop is put on by a partnership between the Cherry Blossom Festival, ARC Macon, and iHeartMedia.

Jake Ferro, President of the Cherry Blossom Festival explained the partnership.

"It's an event that we sanction but actually operated and managed by other people, it's a little different than previous years, but it's still the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop.

The free event is expected to bring in at least 4,000 people to watch the pink ball descend at Midnight. The ball is made up of several hundred recycled city lights.

If you have little ones who cannot make it until Midnight, that is not a problem.

"Great music, great entertainment, and then they'll have children's activities from seven to nine and that's fun, lots of dancing, lots of fun things," added Ferro.

Organizers said it is a great way for the community to come together.

"We get young people, and middle-aged people, and older people, and we get people from all over Middle Georgia to come and see the ball drop, we're one of the most unique ball drops in the state of Georgia," detailed Ferro.

If you would rather stay inside for the celebration, the Macon Marriott City Center hotel is hosting a New Year's Eve Bash. General tickets are $20.

South of Macon, in Perry, the second annual Buzzard Drop happens in the town square. Organizers expect at least 2,000 people.

"Start at eight pm when Jettison Blue takes the stage, followed at nine pm by the Has Beens, they're our headliner act," explained Catherine Edgemon, Main Street Coordinator for the city of Perry.

With all of the New Year's Eve celebrations, organizers want you to have fun safely.

"Stay safe, drink responsibly, look out for your fellow citizen," said Ferro.

"The Perry Police Department will be providing a courtesy shuttle ride home to people here within the city limits," said Edgemon.

If you are planning on celebrating the New Year at any of these events, organizers want you to remember some streets will be closed.