SISTER BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – New Year’s Eve is just days away, and many communities are planning celebrations.
That includes the Village of Sister Bay, in Door County.
And along with the fireworks, there will be something new to help people ring in the new year.
Inside a barn northeast of Brussels, work is underway on a possible Door County tradition.
“Cherries and Door County go hand-in-hand, of course. And we wanted to sort of fashion our event after a New Year’s Eve ball drop.”
Jaime Forest is one of the people working on the project and tells FOX 11….
“We are at just around 2,000 ligthts, and hope to have a few more yet.”
The giant steel-framed cherry weighs close to 300 pounds. It is seven feet across, and about six and a half feet tall. There will be a green leaf, and a 2018 banner as well.
Forest says the welding began about two weeks ago.
“Barely able to fit through the door, to get out of here. So that’s been kind of our limiting factor, has been the fabrication shop.”
The giant cherry is scheduled to descend 120 feet to a spot in downtown Sister Bay. It’s all part of the 4th annual New Year’s Eve celebration in the village.
That includes Door County’s only fireworks display at the Sister Bay sports complex.
“Our concession stand will be open. You can get warm drinks, and we also have a wonderful bon fire out there,” said Louise Howson, Sister Bay Advancement Association.
Eight restaurants will be serving food, and businesses will be open late for shoppers as well.
Howson says despite a frigid forecast, the event will go on.
“Are you kidding? This is Wisconsin. It’s Sister Bay. We are hearty souls. We don’t care. We’ll be fine.”
Back in the barn, Forest says the big red ball is just about ready to go.
“We’ll put it on a flatbed truck, and it will make its way to Sister Bay, and be ready for New Year’s Eve.”
The Sister Bay event runs from 8:00 p.m. to after midnight.
Organizers say they hope the new cherry drop will attract up to 1,000 people.
Meanwhile, Seymour officials canceled their planned hamburger drop for Sunday night over concerns about the weather.
The ball drop in Menasha is still a go.
