Revelers ring in new year at ball drop
Staff writer
At first glance, a brightly colored ball of lights seemed to hover in the sky illuminating the west side yard of the Marion County Courthouse.
At 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31 one lone vehicle was parked in front of the courthouse, but less than 29 minutes later more than 100 people — from all age groups — had gathered in small groups on the courthouse lawn, or were sitting in cars in front of the courthouse or across the street.
All were waiting for the lighted ball to drop, signaling the arrival of the new year.
This event was the fourth annual New Year's Eve ball drop and lighting celebration, organized each year by Marion resident Dave Hett.
"We have just about the same crowd we had last year," Hett said.
Temperatures were warm for the final day of December, but the wind was a little chilly.
Some of those gathered were in a festive mood tooting noisemakers, throwing firecracker poppers, or toasting the new year, while others were more subdued just waiting for midnight to arrive.
Hett said that initially he didn't plan to hold the ball drop this year.
"But my kids talked me into it," he said.
Hett said he'd like to continue the tradition, but wants the Marion Chamber of Commerce to "get behind him" in supporting the project.
"I'd just like to have a couple of fireworks," Hett said with a smile. "No more than two or three, but that would make it perfect."
Midnight in Marion arrived at different times — depending on which of the four clock faces one might be looking at — but as the clock chimed 12 times Hett and a helper slowly lowered the ball from the top of the flagpole to the ground.
As the ball reached the bottom of the pole, a brightly lighted "2004" sign affixed to a stand nearby blazed forth.
The crowd applauded as the ball made its way down the pole and the musical strains of "Auld Lang Syne" could be heard coming from a vehicle's stereo system.
One group uncorked a bottle of bubbly and several couples kissed to signal the new year. The masses then moseyed to their cars. Several were heard to say they were heading home to crawl into a "warm bed," while others still had plans for the evening.
And as they drove away creating a mini-traffic jam at Third and Main streets many honked their horns to greet each other and welcome in the new year.
