Downtown Traverse City bustles with party goers for the annual CherryT Ball Drop held on New Year's Eve. CherryT is a play on words for Charity and the cherry, a symbol of the Traverse City region, which grows about 75% of the nations tart cherry crop each year.

The celebration takes place at the downtown intersection of Front Street and Cass Street. The family-friendly event sees crowds estimated at 8,000 to 12,000 people. The non-profit organization in charge raises money and collects non-perishable food items while people party for a purpose in Traverse City's own version of Time Square. Attendees are encouraged to make a monetary donation or donate a non-perishable food item.

Outdoor music and entertainment begin about 9:30pm and continue after midnight. Local acts and a DJ on the lit stage help bring in the new year. Right before midnight, the large illuminated cherry is lowered to usher in the coming year. A short fireworks display follows the ball drop.

For more information, visit CherryT Ball Drop.
For more Traverse City festivals, visit Traverse City Festivals and Events.

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