Buffalo, NY ( WKBW ) It is a New Years tradition. Thousands of people, crowding the streets of downtown buffalo, ringing in the new year. Last year, 40 thousand people on the streets watched it, and many listened on 97 Rock. On Channel 7, tens of thousands tuned in to see the ball drop along with the one from Times Square.
And now the 20 year tradition will continue.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown was surrounded Sunday morning with new and long term sponsors who will make the downtown event happen.
Mark Simon, President of Upstate New York Transplant Services (UNYTS), called organizer Sue Gonzalez Friday to offer support. UNYTS is looking at this as an opportunity to spread their message of giving "The Gift Of Life" for organ and blood donation in the new year to help others.
Mike Gilbert, Public Relations Director for the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Sabres Foundation noted that owner Tom Golisano with Managing partners Dan DiPofi, Larry Quinn, and the hockey team support downtown Buffalo, and the Ball Drop is a major downtown tradition. The Sabres have a game on December 29th and another January 1st.
Frank Sava represented long time sponsor Independent Health. In addition to the Ball Drop, Independent Health and the Independent Health Foundation also support "First Night" - the drug and alcohol free party at the Buffalo Convention Center. Independent Health has sponsored the Ball Drop for the last ten years, noting that it compliments the Convention Center event to celebrate good health for the new year.
Paul Iskalo of Iskalo Development offers his building, The Electric Tower, as the backdrop for the event. Iskalo has owned the building for five years, and has developed the historic building into Class A office space. Iskalo Development has also picked up other properties nearby in downtown Buffalo that are also being renovated.
Buffalo Place and the City Of Buffalo work together on logistics for the event, which include everything from staging to crowd control and clean up.
Larry Norton, morning personality for WGRF-FM 97 Rock noted that he has been Buffalo's Dick Clark since 1988 when the Ball Drop started as a radio station gift to the city. 97 Rock is involved in developing sponsorships with the Police Athletic League and will promote and broadcast the event.
WKBW Channel 7 was recognized as the Official Television station, having broadcast the event since 1988. Eyewitness News coverage showcases the downtown event and the impact it has on bringing people to the second largest New Year's Eve celebration in the country. Keith Radford will again anchor for his 21st year from Roosevelt Plaza, and will be joined by Joanna Pasceri and reporter John Borsa. Channel 7 is also the Official Station of "First Night," the drug and alcohol free celebration at the Buffalo Convention Center presented by the Independent Health Foundation and other sponsors.
The organizing entity of the Ball Drop is the Buffalo Police Athletic League under the direction of Sue Gonzalez. Gonzalez has been with PAL for 13 years, and involved with the Ball Drop for 7. Sue Gonzalez noted that the event brings attention to the work of the Athletic League, and also the city. The participation of PAL is to help produce, and only bring in enough sponsorship dollars to make it happen.
Mayor Bryon Brown was excited to see the event continue. The mayor commented that even though the economy is tough, it was encouraging to see sponsors step forward to keep a positive event for the city in place.
In addition to the Ball Drop at midnight, music and fireworks are also a part of the event. The fireworks show is spectacular, and unique because it is set off from a downtown building in an urban area.
Watch Eyewitness News for more on the developments surrounding the Ball Drop throughout the holiday season. Channel 7 will once again broadcast highlights of the event - including First Night activities from the Buffalo Convention Center - and the Buffalo Ball Drop, LIVE on New Year's Eve. Anchor Keith Radford will host his 21st telecast with "Countdown To 2010" beginning with coverage at 11pm Thursday December 31st.
The family friendly Independent Health Foundation "First Night" event at the Buffalo Convention Center - presented by Independent Health, WKBW, Wegman's, and other sponsors, is a separate event and was not impacted by sponsorship concerns.
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