New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show Cancelled Due to Weather

With expected temperatures dropping below zero and wind chills bringing temperatures down to -15 below and lower, the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and fireworks planned for both 6pm and midnight in Cheyenne have been cancelled.

Cheyenne Mayor Marian Orr spoke with officials from Laramie County Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, the Cheyenne Fire Department, and the crane operator handling the ball drop. She said the consensus was the bitter cold and windy conditions created an unsafe environment for the city and private industry workers who would be on-hand for the annual celebration, not to mention members of the public who could attend the event.

“No one wants to cancel the outdoor New Year’s celebration,” Cheyenne Mayor Marian Orr said. “But when I am advised by Emergency Management and the National Weather Service that the conditions are unsafe for our workers and the public, I will abide by their recommendation.”

“Further, when representatives operating the crane and the Cheyenne Fire Department — who is responsible for the fireworks display — tell me that the cold and wind make it unsafe for them to do their jobs, we will always heed what they say,” she said. “We cannot put our city workers and workers from private industry in an unsafe situation.”

Orr said an indoor celebration will continue at the Depot lobby from 3pm – 5:45pm. The event will offer a variety of free family activities including costumed characters, inflatables, games, and giveaways.

Additionally, the City will now be offering free family skate at the Ice and Events Center today, December 31, from Noon until 6pm.