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MANSFIELD — After thousands of people attended Mansfield’s first New Year’s Eve ball drop last year, Jessica Dulle said the event’s organizers wanted to officially make it an annual celebration.
Dulle, chair of the Richland County Development Group’s Holiday Lights Sector, said many of the same sponsors chose to participate in the second annual Ringin’ in the Square event, scheduled for Saturday.
Dan Lew Exchange will host a pre-2023 celebration.
Reservation holders at DLX can eat dinner from 7-9 p.m. from two fully-loaded buffets, China Club favorites and traditional menu with carved beef tenderloin. At 9 p.m., the menu will transition to a nacho bar supplied by Tito’s Cantina & Grill.
The celebration features several forms of entertainment, with the Jimi Vincent Band located in the heated VIP tent out front of the restaurant, to DJ and dancing with Jeff Angelini in the Reed’s Room. Karaoke with Sam will take place in the Kobacker Room.
Parties interested in partaking in DLX festivities can make a $75 per person reservation which includes both buffets, entertainment, champagne toast, party favors and photo booth. Reservations are required. Only parties of 4 or 6 are included.
For $25 per person, individuals can come enjoy the nacho bar, ball drop, fireworks and entertainment. To make reservations, those interested can call 419-522-7699.
Last year’s ball drop was organized by volunteers, who partnered with the RCDC Holiday Lights Sector this year.
“It seemed a natural fit to add the New Year’s Eve event into the sector,” Dulle said. “By merging into one entity, the volunteer group can better coordinate logistics, fundraise and grow the sector.”
Saturday’s event will once again feature a 10-minute fireworks show and ball drop from the Park National Bank building at midnight.
Ryley Beattie and Reid Kramer of the fabrication shop at Nanogate North America LLC volunteered to prepare the 2023 New Year’s Ball.
Rob Deiss of Pacific Impressions Inc. Landscaping will retrofit the ball with LED lights.
The 2023 New Year’s ball is 15-foot in diameter and contains 4,800 white LED lights. It will be installed on Friday on a platform of the Park National Bank Building.
WMFD-TV will have a live remote from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. featuring Chelley Kemper and Jay Fox.
There is no cost or reservations required for community members to enjoy the fireworks display and ball drop in Central Park.
According to the National Weather Service Forecast Offices in Cleveland, the chance of precipitation Saturday night is 70%. Skies are likely to be cloudy with a low of around 41 degrees.
While the Jimi Vincent Band will perform in a heated outdoor tent, Dulle said RCDG won’t have additional tents to shelter from weather.
North Park Street will be closed Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. for the downtown celebrations. From 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., both Main Street and Diamond Street from Second to Third Street will be closed to ensure public safety during the fireworks display.
Any toasts to the new year must stay indoors or in designated areas.
The Ringin’ in the Square 2023 is produced by the RCDG Holiday Lights Sector, WMFD-TV, DLX and Charles P. Hahn, CFP. It is supported by Hammet Asphalt, Carol and Rick Taylor and the City of Mansfield.
The RCDG Holiday Lights Committee is a 501(c)(3) designated non-profit. It is a volunteer lead sector. 100% of donations received goes directly to programming. Donations can be made at any time at https://richlandgives.mightycause.com/story/Makemansfieldshine.
Each year, since its inception, the sector has grown to add new lighting displays and programming. This year the sector presented Victorian Christmas caroling on Small Business Saturday.
In the future, the sector plans on adding more pop-up programming, lighting displays, and expanding the New Year’s Eve celebration. In 2024, the sector plans on adding new holiday light displays on the renovated Main Street.
