Get ready for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration! The 6^th Annual Cherry Blossom Ball Drop will take place at the Cherry Street Plaza directly in front of historic Terminal Station and in between two fabulous Macon institutions: the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Tubman African American Museum.

“I’m very proud and honored to announce the presenters of this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival Sanctioned Event, the 2014 Ball Drop. The ARC Macon and iHeartMedia have joined forces as co-presenters of the event and the Cherry Blossom Festival will assist with the preparations. We’re confident that the transition will be seamless and we will once again have a terrific event for all of our community to enjoy,” stated Jake Ferro, President of the Festival. 

The New Year’s Eve festivities feature entertainment from local DJs and the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop. There will also be free family-friendly events from 7pm-9pm for those with young children including a mini fireworks finale at 9pm. Food & beverages will be available for purchase on-site.

"iHeartMedia Macon is honored to partner with ARC and the Cherry Blossom Festival to support this quality, family-friendly New Year's Eve event," Thomas Bacote of iHeartMedia commented. iHeartMedia Inc., formerly Clear Channel, is one of the leading global media and entertainment companies specializing in radio, digital, outdoor, mobile, live events, social and on-demand entertainment, and information services.

“The Arc of Macon is excited about the opportunity to partner with Cherry Blossom Festival and iHeartMedia Macon to offer a family friendly environment for people to celebrate the New Year.  We want to extend our thanks to the sponsors who helped make this event possible,” said Andy Harrell, Chief Administrative Officer at the ARC Macon. The Arc of Macon is a private, non-profit agency that has been supporting citizens in middle Georgia who have developmental disabilities since 1953. The Arc of Macon provides residential, vocational, and recreational opportunities such as Special Olympics and a Summer Camp.  A thrift store operated solely by volunteers helps to raise funds for various services and donations are always welcome.

The 2014 Ball Drop is sponsored by Navicent Health, the YKK-USA, and Cox Communications. Media sponsors include iHeartMedia Macon (New Country 96.5 FM, Q-106.3 FM, V101.7 FM), WGXA, and The Telegraph.

This New Year’s Eve event, free admission to the public, has become widely known as one of the largest year-end celebrations in Georgia and symbolizes the unofficial start of the forthcoming International Cherry Blossom Festival. Having earned a place among the “Wackiest New Year’s Eve Ball Drops” from Huffington Post, last year’s celebration drew more than 4,000 people to Cherry Street Plaza in Downtown Macon to ring in the New Year with fireworks, refreshments, free activities for kids, and of course, the Cherry Blossom Ball.

The Cherry Blossom ball is made of recycled metal cherry blossoms decked out in pink lights, and its drop serves as the start of the official countdown to the Cherry Blossom Festival, March 19 – April 4, 2015.