Following the Great Pinecone Drop at 10 p.m. and midnight, the city will light up the night sky with fireworks.
The much-anticipated Flagstaff tradition will be marking its 26th year of ushering in the New Year to the countdown and cheers of revelers in the streets and on the historic hotel’s balconies. Three lowerings are scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 31: at noon for Noon Year’s Eve in coordination with the Downtown Business Alliance and holiday activities on Heritage Square; at 10 p.m., to coincide with the descent of New York’s illuminated crystal ball in Times Square, and at midnight for all those on Mountain Standard Time.
The Great Pinecone Drop began on Dec. 31, 1999, to honor the Weatherford’s first century. The Victorian building opened as a hotel on Jan. 1, 1900. “It is so much fun for us to see everyone come out for the Great Pinecone,” said Henry Taylor, who with his wife, Pamela “Sam” Green, have been lovingly restoring the three-story building for decades. “We are humbled by how much attention the Great Pinecone Drop has received through the years and how many wonderful memories have been created around the celebration.”
“For both of us and everyone who works at the Weatherford Hotel, the Great Pinecone is a point of pride,” said Green. “It brings us so much joy to look out over the downtown on New Year’s Eve and see thousands of people gathering for the Pinecone Drop. Our work through the years has been to preserve and share this beautiful piece of history that has welcomed U.S. presidents, artists, authors, gunslingers and gamblers in elegant Victorian style.”
In addition, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., the Weatherford Hotel also is hosting its 21+ VIP Golden Ticket New Year’s Eve event in the Zane Grey Ballroom with access to the wrap-around balconies and a front-row view of the Great Pinecone. Only 100 Golden Tickets are available, which include catered hors d’oeuvres, desserts, a prime rib carving station, champagne service and access to live music on all floors, including the blues with Steve Willis in Charly’s and local disco-funk favorite, Bad Delicious, in the Gopher Hole.
On New Year’s Eve, the City of Flagstaff will close downtown to traffic north of Route 66. DJ Mario Soulece will be playing dance music for the Noon Years Eve event and the evening program, beginning at 8 p.m.
Following the Great Pinecone Drop at 10 p.m. and midnight, the city will light up the night sky with fireworks.
Breakfast with Santa
Santa is returning to the Weatherford Hotel on Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20. The event features a festive breakfast, photos with Santa and holiday cheer throughout the decorated hotel. Tickets are $40 per person, with children aged 3 and under admitted free when seated on a lap. Highchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
For tickets or questions about Breakfast with Santa or the VIP Golden Ticket event, contact Bailey at eventscoordinator@weatherfordhotel.com or (928) 779-1919.
Courtesy Photo: The Weatherford Hotel’s LED-lighted metal pinecone is in position above the historic downtown, in preparation for the 26th annual Great Pinecone Drop.
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