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City of Walker proclaims Sunday 'Weatherball Day' for 20th anniversary at WZZM

WZZM purchased the Weatherball in June of 1999 after finding it in a Kalamazoo scrapyard, and revealed it to the public newly improved on May 7, 2003.

WALKER, Mich. — The City of Walker gave 13 ON YOUR SIDE a huge honor on Sunday as the station celebrated the 20th anniversary of the famous Weatherball.

May 7, 2023 was proclaimed "Weatherball Day" in Walker for the decades of service the Weatherball has given to the West Michigan community!

It was first perched on top of the Michigan National Bank building in Grand Rapids between 1967 and 1987 and quickly became a talking point for locals thanks to its 288 neon tubes that changed colors.

Credit: WZZM

Some of those tubes were sold when the Weatherball was taken down in 1987, and can still be seen in area restaurants, stores and even homes.

WZZM purchased the Weatherball in June of 1999 after finding it in a Kalamazoo scrapyard, and it's been a focal point of the station ever since.

The project to restore it began on Nov. 13, 2002 when WZZM celebrated its 40th anniversary.

It was unveiled to the public on May 7, 2003 at a public lighting ceremony. The improvements include:

  • 216-foot in diameter stainless steel ball standing on a 100-foot pole 
  • A new location on the northeast corner of the station at the intersection of I-96 and US-131 in Walker, making it visible from miles away
  • 288 neon lights with the new colors green, red and blue that change depending on the forecast
Credit: WZZM
The 13 On Your Side Weather Team celebrates the Weatherball Day proclamation!

On the proclamation signed by the City of Walker's Mayor Gary Carey and Mayor Pro Tem Steven Gilbert, it recognizes the colors as:

13 Weatherball red, warmer ahead

13 Weatherball blue, cooler in view

13 Weatherball green, no change foreseen

Colors blinking bright, rain or snow in sight

Here's to 20 more years!

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