Despite the cold weather, 30,000 people packed Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids to ring in the New Year with live entertainment, big-screen shots of the crowd and stage and images projected on the sides of buildings. Organizers say next year's plans are already in the works.
According to excerpts from the story:
Ringing in the New Year was a festive, multi-generational, no-drama event for an estimated 30,000 people who packed Rosa Parks Circle and an organizer says "you can bet the house" it will be held again next year. Citadel Broadcasting leaders said Friday that Thursday's event exceeded its expectations for safety, turnout, economic activity and, well, fun.
"For years everybody's spent New Year's Eve in their living watching the ball drop in New York City on TV," said Marcus Bradman, Citadel Broadcasting's director of events and promotions. "We wanted to bring Grand Rapids together around a free, national act and I think it was a first-class event. You can bet the house we'll do it again."
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