News

NewTown Macon, Robins Federal Credit Union, and the Cherry Blossom Festival announced plans that First Friday in January will be celebrated on December 31st – New Year’s Eve – in an effort to draw more people downtown to ring in the New Year. Therefore, New Year’s Eve will be First Friday at Midnight.

First Friday at Midnight, presented by Robins Federal, will feature the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop in the intersection of Cherry and Third Streets in Downtown Macon. The ball, made of metal blossoms with pink lights, is six feet in diameter and will descend from a 30 foot tower counting down to midnight. With the roads closed, the streets of Downtown will be turned into a street party with entertainment by Party Man Productions, fully equipped with lights, video screens and a variety of music.

“Robins Federal Credit Union is very excited to be a part of this first ever New Years Eve Celebration Downtown, Macon,” said Roy Bibb, Vice President of Branch Services for Robins Federal. “We’ve really enjoyed our partnership with NewTown Macon, and are happy to be a part of making Downtown the place to be this New Years Eve for First Friday at Midnight.”

“New York City has a ball drop, Atlanta has the peach drop” says Karen Lambert, President and CEO of the Cherry Blossom Festival, “And now Macon has the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop.” Macon, Georgia is the Cherry Blossom Capital of the world with more Yoshino Cherry trees than any other city in the world including Washington, D.C. and the Japanese city where they originated. For this reason, each March, Macon celebrates the International Cherry Blossom Festival. With the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop, Macon is not only partying pink in March, but the whole year long. Details of the First Friday at Midnight event and Ball Drop, as well as downtown hotel contact information and directions, can be found at www.cherryblossomballdrop.com.

First Friday has quickly become a downtown tradition. On the first Friday of every month downtown businesses, restaurants, and bars are open late and have a variety of specials for attendees. Admission is always free and with a First Friday wrist band and special cup, open-container laws are waived in the downtown area. First Friday was voted Best Entertainment for Adults in 2009.

Robins Federal Credit Union’s First Friday featuring the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop is co-sponsored by The 11th Hour, Alpha Graphics, Channel 41, Community Development Systems, Cox Communications, Cumulus Media, Duck’s Welding, Lemongrass, The Telegraph, and New Town Macon.

NewTown Macon is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to growing jobs, increasing residents, and creating a sense of place in downtown Macon. For more information visit www.newtownmacon.com.