City workers test lighted ball for Bicentennial Ball Drop
In preparation for the Dec. 31 kickoff of Westlake's Bicenntennial year, workers at the city's service garage constructed a lighted ball to be used at the Crocker Park event. Over a two-week period, workers built the ball, comprised of over 1200 incandescent and LED lights, that will be the highlight of the Family Fun Evening.
On Dec. 22, a dry-run of the ball drop was conducted at the service garage to fine-tune the lighting sequence and time the rate of the drop.
The festivities, including face painting, noisemakers live music and entertainment, will start at 6:15 p.m., with the ball drop at 7:00 p.m., followed by a fireworks display. The event will be simulcast with Westlake's sister city, Tralee, Ireland, where it will be midnight. Dignitaries of Tralee will do the 30-second countdown to the ball's drop.