Hundreds revel to welcome 2020 in Tamaqua

They welcomed a new year, new decade and a leap year, too.

After a one-year absence, the 22nd Annual Tamaqua New Year’s Eve Ballrise returned to downtown Tamaqua on Tuesday night, drawing 400.

The event was canceled last year due to roofing work at the host site, the ABC Tamaqua High Rise building, 222 E. Broad St., tallest building in Schuylkill County.

This time, however, cold, windy weather and slick roads failed to keep crowds away. Sidewalks became jammed with spectators at 11:45 p.m. Others opted to stay indoors and watch festivities from the warmth of the building’s Community Room. Across the street, spectators gathered in the comfort of the Majestic House Apartments.

Ten seconds before midnight, brilliantly lighted eagles began their ascent 170 feet high over Broad Street in a lighting illusion set to live, upbeat vibes of a televised simulcast from Times Square. On reaching the top of the building, the eagles illuminated a large 2020 sign to welcome a new era.

Attendees said they were thrilled to see the event return.

“I come to see my friends. Here, I’ll see friends here I haven’t seen in a long time,” said Linda Yeager of Tamaqua.

Another said it’s a family tradition.

“I’m here with my grandchildren. We were here for this every year,” said Theresa Rother of Tamaqua.

Justin McCarroll of Tamaqua was enjoying the night with friends and family.

“I come here every year with my dad.”

The event, sponsored by the Times News Media Group, was the result of collaboration by many. Elk Lighting of Nesquehoning and The Station Fitness Center and West Broad Bar Bell donated $1,000 to pay for required LED lighting upgrades.

Residents of the ABC Tamaqua High Rise once again served as hosts. Supplemental support was provided by Tamaqua Borough and Tamaqua police department, the latter placing barricades at each end of the block, temporarily diverting traffic away from Broad Street, Route 209.

Lighting technician Frank Fabrizio of Brockton offered his services and also coordinated the jumbotron television simulcast from New York City’s Times Square celebration, which featured hosts Ryan Seacrest and Billy Porter.

Some point out that a new decade won’t begin until 2021, a discussion that takes place every ten years. That’s because the first year A.D., or Anno Domini, began at year one, not year zero.

Collectively, however, society celebrates the arrival of a new decade, even a new century, with the year ending in zero.

While new lights, firecrackers and loud boom explosions filled the night sky in Tamaqua, another area of Schuylkill County was in total darkness.

Strong winds brought down power lines near Pine Grove and Roedersville, leaving 270 PPL customers without electricity on New Year’s Eve.