By Gari Voss
The traditional welcoming of 2026 in Allegan was designed to accommodate all ages. The celebrations began at the Allegan District Library as the youth, their caregivers, and young-at-heart gathered for fun activities that culminated at high noon with cheers and a special toast.
Beginning at 5pm, the festivities found the adventurous high in the ropes course traversing planks and ropes to hook into the ziplines. Others maneuvered the hand and foot holds to scale the walls that posed a wide range of difficulty. Zipliners even braved the cold and elements to conquer the new tracks of the outdoor Sky Tour. As 9pm arrived, all found their cup of celebration and raised a toast to the New Year.
At 8pm, the Allegan Riverfront Park began stirring with NYE!25. Even with the 20 degree temperatures, the Ice Skating Rink and Silent Disco dance floor began filling with merrymakers. Kudos to the organizers who placed numerous fire cauldrons around the Riverfront. The large fire pits and cauldrons filled with those enjoying food, drink and conversation as they waited for the drop of the largest New Year’s Eve Ball in Michigan.
As the midnight hour came into view, groups of revelers could be seen coming out of the downtown apartments and down the sidewalks from every direction around the city. At five minutes to 12, the crowd around the stage increased, as the rock music of Trixy Tang and the half dozen fire cauldrons kept the crowd warm.
With a proper countdown to midnight, the ball dropped over the stage. The crowd had only a brief moment to toast and kiss in the New Year before turning around to watch the bursts of fireworks at the opposite end of the Riverfront.
Special thanks can be given to NYE!25 sponsors, the City of Allegan, Allegan Event & RCI Adventure Products, Abonmarche, Andy’s Ace Hardware, Bartz/Rumery Agency Inc, Michigan Gas Utilities, Tantrick Brewing Co, and Waanders Concrete. NYE!26 is already being discussed.
