With New Year's Eve less than two weeks away, plans were announced Thursday for the 26th annual Buffalo Ball Drop and Fireworks.Held outside the Electric Tower on Washington Street at Roosevelt Plaza, the event tens of thousands of revelers each year.
Organizers expects upwards of 40,000 to attend this year. Mayor Byron Brown says public safety is a priority.
"We always work to make sure that we have a full complement of police officers to make sure that everyone coming to celebrate the New Year and ball drop and fireworks have a safe time," Brown said.
Live musical entertainment gets underway at 10:30 p.m. with local singer Caitlin Koch headlining the show.
Video walls will offer digital images of the Buffalo and Times Square ball drops, which will drop in sync with each other. That will be followed by a fireworks display choreographed to classic rock and seasonal music.
The Buffalo Ball Drop is billed as the second largest event of its kind in the nation.
Proceeds benefit the Police Athletic League's youth programs.