CherryT Ball Drop Raises Funds for Student Food Support

“The 17th annual CherryT Ball Drop will return to downtown Traverse City on New Year’s Eve.” Organizers followed through on the community celebration this month when the Festival Foundation staged the event at Cass and Front streets on December 22, 2025. Festivities began in the late evening and culminated with the signature illuminated 600 pound cherry dropping at midnight.

Gate volunteers requested a suggested five dollar donation at entry, and proceeds were directed to the North Ed Foundation to support the Student Emergency Resource Fund, which assists local students facing food insecurity. The modest suggested donation and the option to watch online were intended to broaden access, while a separate elevated rooftop party at The North Bar opened a heated rooftop at nine p.m. with thirty dollar admission at the door.

The Ball Drop served both as a winter celebration and a community fundraising effort that highlights ongoing social needs in Grand Traverse County. Local families and school staff have increasingly pointed to gaps in food access for students, and the Student Emergency Resource Fund provides short term assistance that can keep children in school and reduce stress for families. The event’s dual approach of in person celebration and online streaming aimed to include residents who cannot attend because of cost, mobility, health concerns, or caregiving responsibilities.

Public health considerations remained part of planning for winter gatherings. Organizers provided outdoor spaces and a streamed feed on the CherryT Ball Drop Facebook page and at cherrytballdrop.org so people could participate remotely. That option matters for residents who are older, immunocompromised, or otherwise at risk from seasonal respiratory illnesses, and it helps reduce crowding while maintaining community tradition.

As local nonprofits and schools continue to address food insecurity, events like the CherryT Ball Drop play a role in fundraising and community awareness. The Festival Foundation and North Ed Foundation say they will continue to accept donations through cherrytballdrop.org for those who wish to contribute after the event.