New Year’s Eve is one of the most festive holidays of the year, and the celebration again will take place tonight with the annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in downtown Marquette.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the popular event, which rings in a new year at the corner of Front and Washington streets.

The countdown to midnight starts at 11:45 p.m., with an illuminated ball descending from the historic Savings Bank building at zero hour.

The event might not have the same crowd as the annual ball drop in Times Square in New York City, but plenty of local residents are expected to show up for the festivities.

Strolling through the streets of Marquette and window shopping during the nighttime takes on an added dimension at the event, with the greater-than-usual bustling activity.

However, with all the holiday-related festivities, a little organization is in order.

To make the ball drop run smoothly, from 11 tonight to 1 a.m. Thursday, Washington Street from Third Street to Lakeshore Boulevard and Front Street from Main Street to Bluff Street will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Of course, people want to have a good time at the local ball drop, but they should be aware of others walking in the area. The city cautions motorists to watch out for pedestrians – some of whom might have consumed alcohol – crossing the streets in the vicinity.

For that matter, even though it’s New Year’s Eve, drivers also should remember the rules of the road as it applies to alcohol consumption. The holiday, associated with more than the usual amount of drinking at parties and the like, carries with it a certain responsibility for safety.

That said, we encourage people to show up at Front and Washington tonight to mingle with friends and strangers alike in welcoming 2015.