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Arts & Culture

Buffalo’s Ball Drop test a success

WBFO News photos by Eileen Buckley

The City of Buffalo and organizers of the annual Buffalo Ball Drop & Fireworks event held a test run early Friday afternoon.

The large, New Year's Eve ball successfully descended from the top of the Electric Tower on Washington Street before 12:30 p.m. Friday.

This is the tenth year Iskalo Development -- owner of the Electric Tower -- is hosting the ball drop. 

Iskalo marketing director Kim Collignon offered some ball drop facts.

Credit WBFO News photos by Eileen Buckley
Iskalo marketing director Kim Collignon describes the ball used for Buffalo's Ball Drop.

"The ball is actually four-feet wide. It has about 350 LED lights for energy savings, and it falls about 108-feet from the top the Electric Tower.

This year will mark the 26th annual Buffalo Ball Drop.  The event attracts tens of thousands into downtown Buffalo.  It's followed by a huge  fireworks display to ring in the New Year. http://youtu.be/NFLcHg6HBS8

Liberty Yellow Cab president Bill Yunke is one of the many sponsors of the event.  He reminds citizens to take a cab to the event next Tuesday night.

"We have a new app -- it's called 'Taxi Magic'. It's free and tells you where the car is and how it is going to come to you. It's your guaranteed ride home," said Yunke.

The event is presented by the Buffalo Police Athletic League.

Orchard Park native and singer Caitlin Koch will headline the show that begins at 10:30 p.m. on January 31st.  15-year-old Koch, who won a local radio contest as "Buffalo Idol," just picked up a national recording contract with Paula Abdul's record label.

It is the second largest ball drop in the country.