Before we enter 2013 with all our good intentions of losing weight, saving money and being a better friend, the historic Weatherford Hotel offers a guilt-free good time to ring in the New Year with the famous Pine Cone Drop!
Like a giant holiday ornament, the six-foot tall, 70-pound, LED-lighted northland New Year’s Eve symbol is suspended from the top of the Weatherford Hotel in downtown Flagstaff as the countdown clock ticks away.
“It’s become a uniquely Flagstaff good time as thousands gather with hope and anticipation for the year ahead. We’re offering New Year’s Eve dinner specials in Charly’s Pub & Grill along with classic rock, Latin music, and rhythm and blues as the high energy band Stylus dances us into the New Year!” said Weatherford Hotel owner Henry Taylor.
The Weatherford Hotel Great Pine Cone is to northern Arizona what the Waterford Crystal Ball is to New York’s Times Square. Both will be lowered on New Year’s Eve as revelers across the country say good-bye to 2012.
As has been the tradition for the past 14 years, there will be two lowerings on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. One is scheduled for 10 p.m. to coincide with East Coast celebrations and allow more families to participate, and one at midnight. The City of Flagstaff will light up the downtown with fireworks during both events. Radio personality Joe Harting will lead the crowd in song and the official countdown.
“The Pine Cone Drop is the best New Year’s Eve event west of Times Square. We invite everyone to join us for this Norman Rockwell-like classic happening,” said Flagstaff Mayor Jerry Nabours. “It will start your year with a happy heart!”
“The annual New Year’s Eve Pine Cone Drop is a wonderful community tradition and a real treat for visitors who come to Flagstaff to ring in the New Year,” said Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Heidi Hansen. “The Pine Cone Drop puts an authentic Flagstaff spin on the holiday season and draws in visitors to our destination.”
The Pine Cone Drop has been a New Year’s Eve tradition since 1999 when the Weatherford Hotel rang in the new millennium and honored its 100-year anniversary. Since then, the Great Pine Cone has been the focal point of Flagstaff’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.
“New Year’s Day marks 114 years since the Weatherford Hotel opened its doors to guests,” said hotel owner Sam Green. “This elegant Victorian building has brought people together to commemorate important events for more than a century. It warms our hearts to see the joy the Pine Cone Drop brings!”
Although it’s too early for a specific weather forecast, National Weather Service meteorologist Dr. Brian Klimowski says average Flagstaff temperatures for the Pine Cone Drop at the end of December are usually between 20 and 25 degrees. “Typically we have a chance of snow this time of year, so dress for winter weather!”
For more information, visit www.weatherfordhotel.com
