The Great Pinecone Drop at The Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff was named the No. 5 New Year’s Eve drop in the nation in the USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards.
The annual event at the historic hotel, which opened in 1900 at the corner of Aspen and Leroux streets in Flagstaff, draws upwards of 10,000 spectators to watch the large, elaborately decorated pinecone ring in the new year.
MORE NEWS: Experience AZ: 10 romantic restaurants to try
The Weatherford’s owners began the tradition in 1999 to celebrate the hotel’s 100th anniversary, and it has grown significantly, making it a premier event in the high-elevation mountain town, which is best known this time of year as Arizona’s Winter Wonderland.
USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards relied on subject-matter experts and a panel of editors to develop a list of 20 ball drops, which readers ranked. The top 10 were announced Friday.
Flagstaff was pitted against a pickle, a possum, a shrimp, a pierogi and other themed drops across the country. The Great Pinecone Drop is an ode to the city of Flagstaff being located amid the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world in northern Arizona.
“Sam Green and Henry Taylor at The Weatherford continue to show their dedication to our mountain town of Flagstaff by constantly improving the marquee event they created 25 years ago,” Discover Flagstaff Executive Director Trace Ward said. “The Great Pinecone Drop truly stands out nationally for its uniqueness. It has inspired countless visitors to celebrate New Year’s Eve in our town, and this accolade is well deserved.”
VIP tickets to the third-floor Zane Grey Ballroom, Bar and Balcony, are available from The Weatherford, which also will be offering live music New Year’s Eve at the Gopher Hole basement bar. Reservations still are available for New Year’s Eve dinner at Charly’s Pub and Grill in the hotel as well.
The elaborately decorated pinecone will descend from the Weatherford’s roof at noon and 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 for those revelers with early-morning plans on the first of the year, and again at midnight for traditionalists who brave the chilly night air to record the passing of another year.
The Noon Year’s Eve event Dec. 31 will feature crafts, photos, noisemakers and other family-friendly programming.
The Great Pinecone Drop is one of many holiday events Flagstaff offers in winter. New this year at the Visitor Center at 1 E. Route 66 will be horse-drawn carriage rides that promise to bring a festive holiday attraction downtown. The rides are free and are planned on weekends through Jan. 5, from 1-4 p.m.
The Annual Holiday Parade of Lights takes place Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m. in historic downtown Flagstaff. The community parade is presented by The Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and Desert Financial Credit Union.
The Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance is offering specials throughout the season that include a Holiday Shopping Passport that runs through Jan. 6. The free passport is available at participating businesses and online at downtownflagstaff.org. Shoppers who visit at least five participating businesses or spend a total of $250 will be entered for a chance to win gift cards from downtown shops.
Visit the Flagstaff Visitor Center (1 E. Rt. 66) for an official Flagstaff Visitor Guide. Learn more at discoverflagstaff.com.
