Mayor Byron W. Brown, joined by representatives from the Buffalo Police and Fire Departments, Department of Public Works, the Police Athletic League of Buffalo (PAL), Buffalo Place, and many other partners, invited holiday revelers to ring in 2023 at Buffalo’s 35th Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks brought to you by Presenting Sponsor M&T Bank at Roosevelt Plaza in downtown Buffalo. Festivities get underway with live and in-person entertainment, as well as a fireworks display, on Saturday, December 31, 2022, beginning at 10:00 PM, at the Iskalo Development Electric Tower, located at 535 Washington Street.
“Holiday traditions are important for families and children, and we’re looking forward to another great and safe New Year’s Eve celebration in Downtown Buffalo on December 31st,” stated Mayor Brown. “As I look back on 2022, I am more grateful than ever to be a part of the Buffalo community. I knew there would be challenges ahead as we built back from the impact of the pandemic, but as a community, we also dealt with an historic snowstorm, the loss of loved ones and friends, and an act of domestic terrorism this past year, and through it all, we remained united. As we ring in 2023 together, let’s continue to show the world that in Buffalo we find strength and peace when we stand united and support one another through acts of love and kindness.”
The 35th annual Buffalo Ball Drop is brought to you by Presenting Sponsor M&T Bank – in partnership with Mayor Byron W. Brown and the City of Buffalo, Buffalo Place, and the Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Inc (PAL). “As M&T grows and evolves, our focus on our hometown remains as strong as ever,” said Keith Belanger, M&T Bank Senior Executive VP of Corporate Services. “We are deeply committed to Buffalo, and the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is a chance to celebrate our city with hope, reflection, and connection, all which couldn’t be more important as we come to the close of 2022 and ring in 2023.”
“Buffalo Place Inc. and our Board of Directors are delighted to once again partner with Mayor Byron W. Brown, Buffalo Police Athletic League, WKBW-TV, and Iskalo Development on the 35th Annual Buffalo Ball Drop,” said Michael T. Schmand, Executive Director of Buffalo Place Inc. “This signature New Year’s celebration, Presented by M&T Bank, will be a marvelous start to the new year in Downtown Buffalo.”
The NYE Buffalo Ball Drop is an important fundraiser for the Police Athletic League of Buffalo and the annual PAL Giving Campaign; a capital campaign that kicked off during the holiday season with a generous donation of seed money from the Douglas Development Corporation. PAL’s year-round sports programs during the winter months include Co-ed Basketball Leagues, Indoor Golf Lessons, Ice Skating and Ice Hockey Lessons on the new CAN ICE Skating Rink, Skiing & Snowboarding at Kissing Bridge, Saturday Sports Sampling Clinics, and the Winter PLAYSTREETS Outdoor Sports and Fitness program. Additionally, PAL’s educational programs include Cooking Classes with free Weekly Meal Kits, After School Literacy and Homework Assistance programming, and opportunities for older students to take part in Workforce Development and College readiness programs that explore Social Justice. As a participant in PAL’s winter programs, every PAL youth will receive sporting equipment, warm winter clothing, and healthy snacks to keep them strong and healthy. To learn more about how you can support PAL’s Holiday Giving Campaign, please visit: buffalopal.com/fundraising.
Nekia Kemp, Executive Director for Police Athletic League of Buffalo, stated, “This is an especially significant year at the Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Inc. PAL youth enrichment programs have grown exponentially, and our organization is gearing up for a busy winter season that will welcome many children and teens from the City of Buffalo and neighboring communities. On behalf of the PAL Board of Directors, chaired by Mayor Byron W. Brown, I am especially grateful to all of this season’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop sponsors for supporting our continued efforts to raise significant funds that will directly benefit PAL youth who take part in our year-round enrichment programs in safe City-wide recreation facilities in partnership with the Buffalo Police Department. It is an honor to ring in the New Year with so many wonderful people, who help make our community a great place to live, work, invest and raise a family.”
Once again, the New Year’s Eve Ball will descend from atop Iskalo Development’s historic Electric Tower, located in the heart of Buffalo’s Theatre District. “On behalf of the Iskalo family and our dedicated staff at Iskalo Development, we are pleased and honored to be able to host the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop at the Electric Tower again this year,” stated Paul B. Iskalo, founder and CEO of Iskalo Development Corp. “This year’s event will mark the 35th consecutive year in which our community has joyfully come together whether in Roosevelt Plaza, at the doorstep to the Electric Tower, or in our living rooms on our television screens to celebrate our great City and to welcome in the New Year.”
Deluxe Media sponsors of the NYE Buffalo Ball Drop include:
• Douglas Development
• Frey Electric
• AAA Western and Central New York
• Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York
• Uber Technologies
Douglas Jemal, Founder and President of Douglas Development Corporation, stated, “On behalf of the Douglas Development Corporation, I could not be more ecstatic to support Mayor Brown and the City of Buffalo’s NYE Ball Drop and Fireworks. 2023 will prove to be another milestone year for downtown Buffalo and we at Douglas Development are honored to be part of the Queen City’s resurgence. Our team can’t wait to ring in the new year in Roosevelt Plaza as a proud community in the heart of downtown Buffalo.”
Jim Waddell, Marketing Manager for Frey Electric, stated, “Frey Electric is always proud to support this great event and help our city out in any way we can.”
“AAA urges partygoers to plan ahead this New Year’s Eve with a designated driver, ride sharing, or other means to avoid any type of impaired driving,” said Elizabeth Carey, Director of Public Relations at AAA Western and Central New York. “Let’s wrap up 2022 and welcome the new year safely by preventing any tragedies on the roads.
“As the official health plan of the City of Buffalo, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York is excited to support the 35th annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks. We are pleased to partner with Mayor Byron Brown, the Police Athletic League of Buffalo and Buffalo Place to bring our community together for this long-standing tradition,” said Mike Ball, vice president, community affairs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York.
“Mayor Brown and the City of Buffalo have been our great partners,” said Freddi Goldstein, Communications Manager, Uber Technologies. “As we look to the new year, it is our honor to partner once again to help ring in 2023. Happy New Year!”
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Buffalo NYE Ball Drop, Strictly Hip will provide entertainment, courtesy of Uniland Development and Modern Disposal. Will Holton, a smooth and savvy saxophonist with an international reputation on the jazz scene, will also be back by popular demand.
Julie Berrigan, Modern Disposal Vice President of Communications and Relations, stated, “Modern Disposal is pleased to again sponsor the City of Buffalo New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and partner with fellow sponsors who are committed to providing a family tradition in the City of Good Neighbors and in support of Buffalo PAL.”
The presentation of the “Countdown to 2023” broadcast will be presented by 7WKBW, a co-sponsor of the Ball Drop events since the first one in 1988 – when 97 Rock offered it as a gift to the city of Buffalo. D.J. Jickster from 97 Rock will co-host the event with Good Morning, Buffalo Anchors Ed Drantch and Katie Morse, as well as 7News Anchor, Taylor Epps. 7WKBW’s broadcast will be live from downtown starting at 10pm. Be sure to watch 7WKBW Live on your favorite platform and be sure to join in the conversation on special New Year’s Eve edition of Second Cup with Ed and Katie starting at 11:30pm on the 7WKBW app and Facebook Live!
Marc Jaromin, Vice President and General Manager of 7WKBW, stated, “7WKBW is proud to work alongside Mayor Brown, PAL, Buffalo Place, and all of this year’s sponsors to produce this year’s Ball Drop event. For the past 34 years, we have had the privilege to share the sights and sounds from downtown Buffalo on New Year’s Eve. You can watch 7WKBW on your favorite platform starting at LIVE at 10pm. Good Morning Buffalo anchors, Katie Morse and Ed Drantch will kick-off your evening, and 7News Weekend Anchor Taylor Epps will count you down to the New Year. We look forward to seeing everyone downtown again.”
Skylighters of WNY will shoot the fireworks show and choreograph it to classic rock and seasonal music favorites. In an effort to provide reliable rides to and from the Buffalo Ball Drop, Additionally, UBER is on board this year to help holiday revelers get to and from the event easier than ever. A Ridesharing Zone will be set up on Pearl Street, between Huron and Chippewa.
Free parking is available at nearby Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps – Mohawk Ramp and Fernbach Ramp – courtesy of Mayor Byron W. Brown, The Buffalo Board of Parking and Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps. For directions to ramps, go to bcarparking.com. All Metro Bus and rail schedules can be found at http://metro.nfta.com/.
A “test drop” of the Ball will be held at 535 Washington Street, in front of the Electric Tower on Friday, December 30th at noon, when crews hoist the specially designed ball to the top of the tower, testing the hundreds of special lights and timing the descent.
