Beach Ball Drop: Ring in New Year's coastal-style

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Have a ball — or 10,000 of them — ringing in New Year's at the beach.

A crowd of 40,000 are expected to pack Pier Park on Saturday for the ninth annual New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop featuring 10,000 beach balls dropping onto the streets as well as a new 1,600-pound illuminated beach ball descending from the sky.

“As the local area continues to grow and evolve, so does this lively event,” said Michael Kerrigan, Pier Park's director of marketing. "The Celebration Tower created the the need for a new ball with this programming of LED lights adds permanence. It's an upgrade to the property year-round."

The new beach ball — 9 feet in diameter — is double the weight of previous years and will descend 80 feet from the tower for the midnight countdown. The Celebration tower, constructed by the CVB, is located on the roundabout between Dave & Buster's and the Grand Theatre.

"Previously, we rented a crane to hoist and slowly at midnight it would descent. This is more visually appealing," Kerrigan added. 

To be sure no one in the crowd misses the excitement, a new Digital Lounge will be set up for guests to watch a live broadcast of the main stage entertainment.

"We have added some new elements like a jumbo LED screen and soft seating to allow more to see the action from the parking lot south of Dave and Buster's and Buffalo Wild Wings," Kerrigan said. "We will have a digital photo booth so everyone can get branded photos of themselves free of charge."

The photo booth will be set up in a retrofitted air stream trailer.

The New Year's Eve festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and go on until 12:30 a.m. in the new year. The Family Celebration starts off the night along Pier Park Drive with live music from the Barry Fish Band, stilt walkers and balloon artists.

Pier Park streets, filled with snowflakes, will be closed for the night of free family fun. The closest road to the main stage on the roundabout was set to close to vehicular traffic Dec. 29, and then Dec. 30, the it was set to close farther south down Pier Park Drive to hang the net of beach balls. On Dec. 31, the road will close down to Front Beach Road.

"Just about all the restaurants are doing something special," Kerrigan said. "Over the years, this have become one of their busiest nights."

Pier Park has more than 125 popular retail and dining choices. Stores will be open for shopping, and street vendors also will be set up with more food. 

For the children's countdown to 8 p.m., 10,000 beach balls will be released from a net over Pier Park Drive, and a five-minute fireworks show will take place over the rooftops. A few 7-foot beach balls also are tossed into the crowd.

RiverTown Band headlines for the midnight countdown. The band, which includes four lead vocalists and a rhythm and horns section, performs everything from classics to current chart toppers — Top 40 hits, dance, classic rock, disco, swing, R+B, jazz, Motown and country.

"We get a lot of bands interested every year for this," Kerrigan said. "For this year's entertainment we are fortunate to have this band with a history of great performances are we really like their sound and energy."

As far as dealing with the big crowd, they have it covered.

"We have all in-house security team on staff and, in addition, some members of the Panama City Beach Police Department," Kerrigan added.

At midnight, a 15-minute fireworks show shot from the Russell-Fields City Pier by Pier Park will wrap up the coastal celebration.

Saturday, Dec. 31

5:30 p.m.: Barry Fish Band Performs on main stage

7:30 p.m.: Kids countdown to 8 p.m. begins

8 p.m.: 10,000 Beach Balls are dropped down on Pier Park Drive and fireworks are shot from the rooftops

8:15 p.m.: Terry Brock & Friends Classic Rock Revival Performs on Main Stage

10 p.m.: RiverTown Band Performs on main stage

11:55 p.m.: Final Countdown to 2017

Midnight: The brand new, LED illuminated ball drops down the Celebration Tower to ring in the New Year and fireworks are shot from the Russell-Fields City Pier.

What: New Year's Eve celebration with two end-of-year countdowns and fireworks shows; dropping of 10,000 beach balls, 7-foot tall beach balls and a 1,600-pound glowing beach ball; live music

When: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1

Where: Pier Park, 600 Pier Park Drive, Panama City Beach

Admission: Free

Details: VisitPanamaCityBeach.com, Pier Park at 850-236-9974 or Facebook.com/ShopPierPark

Ninth Annual Beach Ball Drop