What's happening: Ludington's annual New Year's Eve Ball Drop is a nominee in USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards for Best New Year's Eve Drop.
Ludington's is one of 20 ball drops around the U.S. selected by the USA Today panel and the only one in Michigan.
About the awards: The
USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards highlight top-notch attractions and businesses, providing readers with trusted recommendations. Nominees are chosen by a panel of relevant experts, which include a combination of editors from USA TODAY; editors from 10Best.com; expert contributors; and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties.
About the ball drop: One of West Michigan's largest ball drops,
Ludington’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop begins at 9 p.m. and features music, a beer tent with commemorative light-up glasses, a ball dropped at the stroke of midnight, and a large fireworks display over downtown. Other elements include warm-up spots around town at stores and restaurants. Find more information at
downtownludington.org/nye.
Ludington recognition: The nomination marks Ludington’s third recent recognition by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, which already recognized Ludington as the
Best Historic Small Town and having one of the
Best Beaches in Michigan (Stearns Park Beach) in 2024.
What they're saying: “As one of our highest attended annual events, the Pure Ludington New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is a favorite holiday tradition – and one of the biggest ball drops in West Michigan,” said Brandy Miller, executive director of the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We ask our locals and visitors alike to support Ludington with your vote, in addition to making plans to celebrate with us New Year’s Eve."
What's next: The
Ludington Area Visitors Bureau encourages people to
vote for the Ludington New Year’s Eve Drop daily until the contest ends Monday, Dec. 9 at 11:59 a.m.
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