St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic announced they were ending their annual New Year’s Eve Ball, according to today’s Duluth News-Tribune. With a price tag of $125,000, the event has become too spendy, SMDC officials say. Also, WDIO Channels 10/13 had announced they would not telecast the Ball as they had in previous years, eliminating a valuable public relations benefit.
Most people subject to the Duluth TV market might not be bothered by this, but I’ll miss the New Year’s broadcast. Living in the woods as we do, attending drunken New Year’s parties is out of the question. But we always enjoyed the awkward revelry of watching local people dance in low light. All the national networks celebrate New Year’s at 11 p.m. CST, so this was the only show in town for nerds like us.
Another reason cited by SMDC from today’s story:
A final reason is that Duluth nightlife has changed since SDMC started organizing New Year’s parties 23 years ago. With a lot more going on, Bode said SMDC doesn’t want to compete with local businesses that offer entertainment that night.
Meantime, the nightlife in my neighborhood remains the same: night rides with a rifle and a 12-pack. You don’t need a holiday; you just need ammo.
man this sucks!!!!! I’ve watched that damn party my whole life, figures the years i turn 21 it would be canceled.
Was just discussing this last night; did you hear Dennis Anderson was fitted for his toupee on that broadcast? A darned shame. The tipsy newscaster MCs were the best.