MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Thousands made their way to Downtown Muskegon, celebrating the new year with music, fireworks and to witness the city’s first-ever ball drop, which will now become an annual tradition.
In the middle of all the festivities was Legend’s Bar & Grille, where many celebrated before and after the ball drop.
“There was literally a line of probably 50 people waiting, and it was cold,” said Legend’s bar owner Jason Bronold. Everybody was patient. Everybody was festive. It was a beautiful evening.”
“We had huge groups, tables of 20 tables or 16, there was just big groups and festive moods,” said Bronold. They were all filling up the hotels as well, so I think even today once that Michigan game kicks off we'll fill back up again.”
Lakeshore Legacy Project board member Mehean Quinn, who also DJ’d for the event, says the non-for-profit organization collected more than 100 coats, hats and gloves to give to those in need before the ball dropped.
Quinn says the event brought the community together, where he was able to witness it all from the stand.
“It gave me chills, like seeing everybody party together having fun from different places, different ages and from different cultures,” said Quinn. It was just a beautiful thing to see. We need to do more to keep that entertainment coming to Muskegon.”
Muskegon Ambassador Craig Person attended the event and captured the thousands of people celebrating as they close out 2023 and rejoicing for 2024. He says the event was a huge success.
“Muskegon is back. When you see a ball that's dropping like that, and so many people who just changed their plans and came out to the street to enjoy themselves,” said Person. It really is so infectious. It’s fun. It's amazing, and Muskegon is really doing something so let's lets us enjoy it and be part of it.”
The event was a safe event that was free to the public. People from around West Michigan attended the event.
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