As Manhattan, KS, and its neighbors celebrate unprecedented growth, this year the theme of The Little Apple® New Year’s Eve Celebration and Ball Drop (New York, eat your heart out!) is “Welcome! Welcome to A NEW ERA in The Little Apple!”

With the continuing buildup of neighboring Fort Riley, the Manhattan area is one of only a few across the nation where housing prices, new home starts, city coffers, and elementary school enrollments are all on the upswing. The region’s population expects to increase by about 30% over the next five years.

In this new era of whiplash change, the community treasures its traditions. The Little Apple New Year’s Eve Celebration and Ball Drop has become one of them.

“We’re townies and newcomers, all ages and all walks of life,” says Kate Watson, co-founder of the event, “and regardless of what may separate us during the year, this event gives us an opportunity to end one year and begin the next as a community.”

In its 4th year, this family-friendly event culminates a weekend full of fun, food, and a Shop ‘til the Drop shopping spree with its outdoor stage show, fireworks, confetti, dancing in the street, and of course the ball drop from atop Varney’s Book Store in Aggieville.

Adding to the traditional Tribute to the Troops in this heartland’s Times Square style street party, local talent onstage will feature the welcome theme to:

• Welcome BACK the Big Red One, Fort Riley, Kansas
• Welcome our soldiers’ families
• Welcome old friends and new friends, students, scientists, farmers, construction workers, retirees, alumni, visitors, and neighbors!
• Welcome new K-State Coaches Prince and Huggins
• Welcome a NEW ERA of growth and prosperity!

Organizers welcome returning sponsors and new ones, too. Varney’s, The EyeDoctors, Jon Murdock Auto Mall, Shop ‘til the Drop, and Kites are joined this year by AAA Allied Group, Inc., Pottberg Gassman Hoffman, and others as the list expands daily.

“It is truly a community event,” says Steve Levin of Varney’s, the lead sponsor. “Lots of folks pitch in and everyone who comes has a great time. That’s our goal, anyway.”

Even the event itself has grown. Attendance more than doubled in its first three years. More than 11,000 are expected this year. Portions of the event were broadcast live last year on national TV and it has received mentions in publications such as USA today and Family Circle Magazine. Hotels and the Web Wings and Wheels Deal air-shuttles sell out early. This year,  AAA is adding buses from Kansas City, Wichita, and as far away as Omaha, NE. Many travelers will “make a weekend of it” as New Year’s Eve falls on Sunday this year.

See www.LittleAppleNewYears.com for photos, videos, updates and details.

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