DETROIT – Detroit will be aglow when the Motor City New Year’s Eve “D” makes its annual descent at Cadillac Square just before midnight Thursday, December 31. Thousands will unite in the heart of downtown Detroit to count down the final seconds of 2015, celebrating a new beginning and a New Year amidst dozens of fun outdoor activities for children and adults.
The sixth-annual Motor City New Year’s Eve (NYE) event – The Drop – supported by Opportunity Detroit and Bedrock Real Estate Services will be hosted from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Campus Martius and Cadillac Square. The free community event is loaded with outdoor activities for all to enjoy.
“We started this event six years ago because we knew Detroit was the place to be on New Year’s Eve,” says Tony Piraino, co-founder of Motor City New Year’s Eve and owner of Firebird Tavern. “We’re so proud the celebration has grown every year. We can’t wait to ring in the New Year with our biggest and best party yet with 20,000 friends.”
The highlight of the event will be a unique Detroit-themed ball drop. A grand 7-foot glittering “D” mounted on a 7-foot glowing sphere will descend, not once, but twice during the event. The D will drop once for a Kids’ Drop at 6:30 p.m., and again for the main event at 11:59 p.m.
Before the big moment, guests can enjoy live music, warm food, cold refreshments and cocktails (21+) prepared by local food trucks and restaurants. Partygoers will also find merchandise for sale from local retailers, ice skating in Campus Martius, and wood-burning warming stations positioned throughout the event. Carriage rides will be available for scenic tours of the City for a fee. And don’t miss the big game – see the Michigan State University Spartans play in the Cotton Bowl on 8’ x 14’ LED Screen. Motor City NYE will present an inclusive Kids’ Zone featuring family friendly performances from 4-7 p.m. Cirque Among Us, the Detroit Youth Choir, John Davis (The VIBE Man), and a magician will engage and entertain. Enjoy face painting, bounce houses and jungle gym activities.
Need to warm up? Take shelter inside a massive 11,000 sq. ft. heated and carpeted tent raised in the Center of Cadillac Square. A second stage here will feature entertainment and live music for families until the family fun concludes just after the Kids’ Drop at 6:30 p.m.
The free adult fun begins on the main stage at 7 p.m. with performances by The Infatuations, Tosha Owens Blues Band, Angela Davis & The Solid Pocket Band, Athena Johnson Band and JUKEBOXX. Boji from Channel 955 will be dropping the beats from the stage all night long.
New this year is Motown Countdown, a ticketed event from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Step inside the 11,000 sq. ft. heated tent that will be transformed for nightlife fun. Take in clear views of the Detroit skyline and The D Drop. The price of admission ($55) includes live entertainment from the Cosmic Groove Band, eight drink tickets, midnight snack, party favors, a celebratory balloon drop, heated restrooms, coat check and access to numerous screens broadcasting the Cotton Bowl, all in a cozy setting. A portion of proceeds will benefit Healthy Detroit. Purchase tickets at www.MotorCityNYE.com.
“We are so excited to be hosting our sixth Motor City New Year’s Eve in Detroit!” says Jerrid Mooney, co-founder of the event. “We’ve added so many new features this year and we are confident there will be something for absolutely everyone. We cannot wait to share this unique Detroit experience with the community.”
For more information on Motor City NYE, The Drop, please visit www.MotorCityNYE.com or call 313-355-0413. Find information on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MCNYE, or Twitter at www.twitter.com/motorcitynye. Please use hashtag #mcnye.
