Orlando’s traditional way of celebrating the new year will in fact happen this year, but in a new location.
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The owners of several bars, including the Burton’s, The Abbey and Cavos got permission to move the giant pole-mounted ball from its original location on Church Street to the roof of the pop-up bar The Reindeer Room, which is centrally located for block party attendees.
The bar owners said the idea came together quickly after seeing reaction to news of the drop’s cancellation.
“It’s 25 years old, so we’re just trying to carry on the tradition from Church Street,” Burton’s Bar owner Aaron Dudek said. “Those guys were cool enough to let us take it and give it a chance to bring it back to life.”
The Church Street Orange Drop was canceled after the bars that sponsored the event shut down. The nightclub scene in that part of town has been winding down after multiple high-profile acts of violence in the streets and restrictions put in place by the city.