Whether you’re cooking up some black-eyed peas for prosperity or biting into 12 grapes for abundance, some 10,000 revelers are expected to join in Flagstaff’s New Year’s Eve tradition with the Weatherford Hotel’s Great Pinecone Drop.
For the 15th year, the Great Pinecone Drop is serving as Flagstaff’s New Year’s Eve symbol, promoting seeds of hope for the New Year. The six-foot tall, 150-pound, LED-lighted metal cone will be lowered twice to cheering crowds in the historic downtown on Tuesday, Dec. 31: once at 10 p.m., and, again at midnight.
Throughout the evening, holiday music will waft from the hotel’s restored balconies. Local radio personality Joe Harting and City of Flagstaff Mayor Jerry Nabours will lead the crowd in Auld Lang Syne and other favorite songs building up to the countdown. The Mayor is expected to be the first to proclaim Jan. 1, 2014 as HAPPY NEW YEAR, FLAGSTAFF, DAY!
“Flagstaff residents and visitors have gathered at the historic Weatherford Hotel on important occasions for more than 100 years,” says Mayor Nabours. “It has become a Flagstaff tradition that we gather here on New Year’s Eve, paying tribute to our past and looking to the future with happy hearts. We invite everyone to join us for this Norman Rockwell-like classic event.”
“The Weatherford Hotel cupola, balconies and Great Pinecone are decorated with hundreds of LED lights for a dynamic show,” says AVDomotics CEO Andy White. “Like the Times Square New Year’s Eve crystal ball, we’ll be flashing lights in different colors, adding to the excitement and anticipation of the evening. The show gets better every year!”
In addition, the City of Flagstaff is preparing for a dazzling fireworks display above the historic downtown district as revelers blow horns and shout, “Happy New Year!”
Inside the hotel, local band, Stylus, will be performing in Charly’s Pub. Also, Great Pinecone Drop T-shirts can be purchased. Those wearing their GPD T-shirts will receive happy hour prices in Charly’s Pub & Grill throughout the New Year.
Weatherford Hotel owners Henry Taylor and Sam (Pamela) Green first created the Great Pinecone Drop for New Year’s Eve 1999 to ring in the new millennium and celebrate the building’s 100th year. “Preserving and honoring Flagstaff’s history has been our lifelong passion,” says Taylor. “The Great Pinecone Drop is our gift to the community,” adds Green.
New this year, Mountain Line buses will be rolling through town past midnight to offer residents and visitors a safe and reliable New Year’s Eve transportation option. Those planning to use Mountain Line on New Year’s Eve are encouraged to call the NAIPTA offices at 928-679-8900 in advance to identify their routes.
“The Great Pinecone Drop is an authentic spin on Flagstaff and the holiday season,” says Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Heidi Hansen. “Visitors from all over come to participate in the annual New Year’s Eve community tradition.”
The Great Pinecone Drop is sponsored in part by Nackard Bottling Company. The event is free for all ages.