The Heritage of Flight Committee will host their annual New Year's Eve Ball Drop this year beginning at 9:30 P.M., once again giving locals the opportunity to usher in 2018 in big-city style.

This year, activities at the Ball Drop include horse-drawn carriage rides from Willow Wind Carriages, from 9 P.M. until midnight, food, a 50/50 raffle, cake auction, and prize giveaways. The Columbus-based company Rock On Ice will also return for two live ice sculpting demonstrations beginning at 9:30.

Mike Lowrey of the Heritage of Flight Committee said attendance  at past Ball Drops is hard to guage, as it is usually weather-dependent, but that he believes nearly 2,500 people have gathered in downtown New Carlisle to ring in the new year.

Lowrey said the event is put on using no city money, as it is funded by the Heritage of Flight Committee's various events and fundraisers, such as their sale of Christmas ornaments. He said New Carlisle's Ball Drop began in 2010 and was sponsored by the city's Bicentennial Committee.

"Once the committee dissolved, I asked Heritage of Flight committee  if they would be interested in continuing the event since it was such a big hit," said Lowrey. "Everyone agreed it was an event we needed to continue and it seems to have grown bigger ever since."

The New Year's ball being dropped in New Carlisle is a massive aluminum sphere that measures nearly eight feet tall and weighs in at 200 pounds. It was constructed by the committee just a few years ago as the event became more popular.

"I think its important for our city as a whole to be able to enjoy these family events," Lowrey said. "It promotes local businesses and     organizations plus it cuts back on traveling to other cities to have a good time. We may be a small city but we pack a big punch when it comes to entertainment."

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