Visit South Haven is preparing for another big New Year’s Eve celebration Wednesday, marking the eighth year of the event that has become a signature holiday tradition for the community.
Visit South Haven Director Jennifer Sistrunk tells us the centerpiece of the night will once again be the beach ball drop, when 1,000 beach balls are released at midnight in downtown South Haven, followed by a fireworks display over the harbor.
“New York, they’ve got a Times Square,” Sistrunk said. “Traverse City, they do a cherry drop. But, you know, here in South Haven, it’s very unique to drop a thousand beach balls downtown. And we’ve got people that come from all over. We have folks come from Kalamazoo, from Indiana, from Grand Rapids, from the east side of the state, Detroit, Chicago. So people do travel to come to our event every year.”
Sistrunk says activities are scheduled throughout the entire day today, making it a family-friendly celebration from morning through midnight. Events include activities for the kids, a scavenger hunt at the Michigan Maritime Museum, an open ice skating rink, food trucks, performers, DJs, and live music at multiple downtown venues.
Sistrunk adds the celebration stands out because it’s for all ages.
“What’s really fun about this is it’s fun for the family. We see kids staying out all the way until midnight, which is really fun. They get excited and they’re out with their parents. You know, they don’t get to stay up late very often. And then when you get to stay up late and dance in the streets with your family and friends, it just makes it for a really unique experience.”
Sistrunk encourages visitors from out of town to book a room and make a night of it. You can find the full celebration schedule at SouthHaven.org.
