New York State In-depth

Buffalo welcomes the New Year with a downtown ball drop and church service

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown took some time to reflect on the hardships of 2022, like COVID, the mass shooting on Tops, and most recently, a devastating snowstorm.

BUFFALO, NY – Late Saturday night and into Sunday morning, thousands of people gathered in front of the Electric Tower to ring in the New Year.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown took some time to reflect on the hardships of 2022, like COVID, the mass shooting on Tops, and most recently, a devastating snowstorm.

“It is important that we reflect on all of this as we look forward with hope and optimism to a prosperous, happy, healthy and prosperous 2023,” Mayor Brown said.

Buffalo’s Ball Drop is the second largest New Year’s Eve celebration in the state, just after New York City, where a man attacked three police officers with a machete at a New Year’s Eve celebration.

Some people opted for a quieter way to ring in the New Year with a midnight service at True Bethel Baptist Church on East Ferry Street. They decided to work through the pain of the past year together.

“Just because a calendar day and a year has changed doesn’t mean it has changed the hearts of those who mourn, of people who feel an injustice,” Pastor Darius Pridgen said after the 2 On Your service shortly after the start of 2023 side.

Pridgen, who is also President of the Buffalo Common Council, added: “It doesn’t mean it changes those suffering from COVID, or for the family who lost someone just hours before the New Year. But what it means is that we can, celebrate and mourn together as a community.”

Pridgen joined 2 On Your Side Town Hall last week to provide an update on Blizzards recovery efforts. You can watch this video below.

Comments are closed.