Sault Ste. Marie putting fresh twist to New Year's Eve ball drop
The votes are in and Sault Ste. Marie has chosen the icon that will light up the sky during the city's inaugural New Year's Eve party.
In a choice between a giant ball or puck drop, the home of the Soo Greyhounds is showing its love for hockey.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie will host an inaugural New Year's Eve party with a giant puck drop. (Supplied)
"Over the past week, the community has been voting on its inaugural New Year’s Eve event in the Downtown Plaza and what icon will light up the night sky to welcome 2025," the city said in a news release.
"With over 2,500 votes, the community has decided to drop a puck icon."
It was a close race with the puck drop receiving a total of 1,276 votes to the ball drop's 1,246.
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"We have received overwhelming support from the community on this initiative. The puck icon is symbolic of the start of something exciting like a puck drop at the start of a hockey game," Brent Lamming, the city's director of community services is quoted as saying in the news release.
"It offers a fresh twist on the classic ball drop … We look forward to celebrating with everyone in the Downtown Plaza on Dec. 31."
Planning is already underway and will include various activities, food and drinks.
The big puck will drop twice during the event.
First, at 8 p.m. for families with young children and again at midnight to ring in the New Year.
"The puck icon will be made from locally sourced steel and constructed by the city’s public works department," the city said.
"The City of Sault Ste. Marie thanks its sponsors GFL Environmental for their support and most recently Steel Speed who generously stepped up to provide use of their crane."
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