Celebrate the New Year in the Motor City at THE DROP, 12/31 in Cadillac Square

Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders will be focused on the radiant Motor City New Year's Eve D as it makes its descent starting at 11:59 p.m. December 31 in Detroit's Cadillac Square. Voices will unite to count down the final seconds of the year and celebrate a new beginning full of hope, dreams and new aspirations.

Now in its fifth year, the annual Motor City New Year's Eve (NYE) event - The Drop - will be hosted from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Campus Martius, with an expanded footprint encompassing Cadillac Square. The free community event is loaded with fun outdoor activities for children and adults.

"Being in downtown Detroit and having 20,000 people come together to ring in the New Year is so special," says Tony Piraino, co-founder of Motor City New Year's Eve and owner of Firebird Tavern. "We started this event five years ago because we knew Detroit was the place to be on New Year's Eve. We felt the same sense of pride New York and other large cities express and wanted to share this with the entire community," explained Piraino.

At the heart of the event will be a unique Detroit-themed ball drop. Handmade in Detroit by the Nordin Brothers, this glittering starburst sculpture, emblazoned with a D, will descend twice during the event - once for a Kids' Drop at 6:30 p.m., and again for the official drop at 11:59 p.m.

The breathtaking spectacle, visible from various venues throughout Detroit, will reach a much broader audience this year. WTVS PBS Detroit will broadcast the Motor City NYE countdown live (please check local listings).

Guests can enjoy a plethora of activities starting at 4 p.m. Bundle up and delight in live music, warm food, cold refreshments and cocktails (21+) prepared by local food trucks and restaurants. Ice skate in Campus Martius or gather around wood-burning warming stations positioned throughout the event. Feeling romantic? Carriage rides will be available for scenic tours of the City for a fee.

Motor City NYE will present an inclusive Kids Zone featuring family friendly acts from 4-7 p.m. Cirque Amongus, comedian and illusionist Mark Maze, and Crossroads, a family band that performs music appealing to all ages will engage and entertain. Gracie the Clown and King Arthur the clown will provide face painting and balloon animal making. The family fun concludes just after the Kids' Drop at 6:30 p.m.

Multi-media Host and Entertainer Ashley Elyse will emcee Motor City NYE from the main stage. The adult fun begins when Party band Cast Iron Cornbread takes the stage at 7:00 p.m. and again at 8:15 p.m. DJ Tom, Detroit dance scene legend, will keep the crowd jumping with performances throughout the evening. Detroit songstresses Angela Davis and Tosha Owens will appear both on the main stage and second stage - lighting up the evening with soulful sounds and R&B classics. Don't miss Ayla Stackhouse, who has appeared on Broadway and American Idol, when she performs "Light Up Detroit," an original song that officially kicks off the much anticipated countdown to midnight.

New this year, take shelter inside a massive heated tent raised in the Center of Cadillac Square. A second stage here will feature DJ Escalade, singers Mark Reitenga, Davis, Owens, and Top 40 band Priceless Live who will keep the party hopping all night.

"Motor City New Year's Eve has exceeded our expectations," says Jerrid Mooney, co-founder of the event. "By expanding our footprint to include Cadillac Square, we hope to share this unique experience with more people than ever this year."

For more information on Motor City NYE, The Drop, visit www.MotorCityNYE.com or call 313-355-0413. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MCNYE, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/motorcitynye. Please use hashtag #mcnye.

Can't handle the cold or looking for something glitzy to do surrounding The Drop? NYE Detroit is launching a New Year's Eve party called the Motor City Gala. The first-ever Motor City Gala will take place from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. December 31 at the Atheneum Suites Hotel in Greektown. The Motor City Gala is expected to draw an upscale crowd of young professionals, singles, couples and groups. Just three short blocks from Cadillac Square, party guests are welcome to walk to The Drop. Free shuttle rides will also be provided between events. Two Motor City Gala party packages are available. The all-Inclusive VIP Dinner Package is $150, or $175 at the door. The Motor City Party Pass is $85, or $125 at the door. Both include a premium bar and non-stop entertainment, including a thrilling midnight blowout. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.MotorCityGala.com.?

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