White Plains Hosts Annual New Year's Eve Ball Drop

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Thousands are expected to gather near the intersection of Main and Court streets to watch an eight-foot wide ball laced with Christmas tree lights plunge 200 feet as White Plains welcomes 2012.

White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach and the City's Business Improvement District said he's looking forward to ringing in the new year with families from across the county.

“This is the biggest event outside of the annual New York City celebration. I am looking forward to another successful event and encourage all residents to come downtown and join us for this local, family-friendly celebration,” Roach said in a press release.

White Plains' eight-foot wide ball is approximately two-thirds the size of New York City's, according to Westchester Magazine. However, White Plains' ball drops more than twice the 77-foot trajectory the New York City ball follows. New York City's ball is illuminated with LED light bulbs and crystal, triangular panels while White Plains opted to power its ball with LED Christmas tree lights.

The New Year's Eve party will kick off with music from Celebration Entertainment DJ at 10 p.m. Sunday. A countdown will announce the ball's descent, which will be greeted with a midnight fireworks display.

Heineken USA will be sponsoring a "New Year Safe Ride Program" to provide free transportation home for Westchester residents who are 21 or older. A "Safe Ride" stand at the corner of E. Post Road and Mamaroneck Avenue will direct a fleet of 30 cars to residences across Westchester from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

The following streets will be closed during the New Year's Eve celebration:

- Main Street at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m.

- Court Street at Martine Avenue from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m.

- Renaissance Square from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.

- Northbound lanes on Mamaroneck Avenue from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Martine Avenue from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Northbound lanes of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at Martine Avenue from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

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