LA GRANDE — As 2023 draws to a close, La Grande’s New Year’s Eve tradition is celebrating 10 years of merriment on Dec. 31.

The New Year’s Ball Drop and Block Party, hosted by La Grande Main Street Downtown, is celebrating a decade of ushering in the new year in downtown La Grande.

Earlier this year, the event was recognized by the Oregon Festivals and Events Association with the WOW Factor award. This award is given to the event that stands out “from the moment guests arrive and continues to ‘wow’ them throughout the entire experience,” according to the Oregon Festivals and Events Association.

The original idea for the ball drop evolved from a town square celebration in Spain and was inspired by a building remodel design.

Ashley O’Toole, then a member of LGMSD and with John J. Howard Real Estate, was in a small town in Spain on New Year’s Eve. He was impressed that the entire town came out for a “block party” and to watch the clock in the town square progress to midnight. This stayed with him and when he saw the architectural drawing of the Howard Real Estate building with a flagpole on top, it was a natural evolution to “let’s have a block party in downtown La Grande and a Ball Drop.”

With the help of many friends and local talents, the project took shape and came to fruition in 2014. With the 2024 celebration, O’Toole is beginning the handoff to an organizer in training, as he would like, in the coming years, “to celebrate the New Year as part of the crowd.”

It is the only ball drop in Oregon and with a decade of celebration to look back on, the 2024 celebration will start at 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve on Adams Avenue and Depot Street. There will be burn barrels and a warming tent provided by John J. Howard, who owns the building where the flagpole used for the ball drop is perched. There will also be hot chocolate provided to warm hands and stomachs.

As in years past, local businesses will also participate in the festivities. Blue Mountain Outfitters will provide various outdoor games, such as cornhole, and there will be at least one food vendor to offer up sustenance for the celebrants.

Around the corner from the main activities, HQ, 112 Depot St., will have an outdoor beer garden and live music provided by Towers of Glass and Subutai. Side A Brewing, 1219 Washington Ave., will stay open for the event.

As the midnight hour approaches, crowds from the restaurants and bars traditionally make their way to Depot and Adams to ring in the New Year.

The party will happen come rain, snow or bone-chilling cold, and will go on until 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1, 2024.

Also, EOAlive.TV will broadcast live from the block party and ball drop.