The Drop Moves To Downtown Detroit's Newest Public Space, Beacon Park

DTE Energy's Motor City NYE ("The Drop"), presented by Quicken Loans, today announced its move to Beacon Park - downtown Detroit's newest public space, located at Grand River and Cass Avenue, adjacent to DTE Energy headquarters. This beautiful and contemporary gathering place is the perfect backdrop for Detroit's wildly popular New Year's Eve celebration. The event will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2017 and run through 1 a.m. January 1, 2018.

The year will come to a close with party-goers enjoying exciting music performances from the main event stage, along with food and cocktails prepared by local food trucks and restaurants. Revelers can also ring in the New Year from the comfort of two heated and carpeted party pavilions, featuring musical performances and a variety of free activities and games, perfect for the whole family.

The Drop will feature free performances by Detroit's hottest music acts, including Danielle Bahoora from The Voice, The Motown Memories Band, The Detroit Funk Band, The Motor City All Stars Band and more, who will light up the main stage. The capstone of the evening's entertainment is an appearance by Detroit native and Motown legend Martha Reeves, who will perform her smash hit song "Dancing in the Street." She will then be joined by hometown favorite Angela Davis for a stirring rendition of "Light up Detroit" to kick off the countdown to 2018.

Event Highlights
4 p.m. - Kids Zone Free. A kid's zone will offer popular family-friendly acts including: The Detroit Youth Choir, balloon artists, bounce houses, face painting and a variety of additional activities.
6:30 p.m. - Kids Drop Free. Indoor activities will conclude at 6:30 p.m. when the "D" drops for an early kid-friendly countdown.

8 p.m. - The Motown Countdown Tickets priced from $99; reserved VIP Booth options priced from $1,500. Returning for the third consecutive year is The Motown Countdown, the official VIP party of The Drop. Guests of The Motown Countdown will enjoy multiple fully-stocked premium bars (admission includes eight drink tickets), dance floors, live music, midnight champagne stations, a SKYY Vodka Specialty Martini Bar, late-night pizza and balloon drop, and access to the main event outside. Check out www.MotownCoutdown.com for more information.

8 p.m. - The Celebration - Tickets priced from $60. This year's expanded footprint for the festivities brings the opportunity to introduce The Celebration, which includes all of the same amenities as The Motown Countdown, but in a more casual environment - replacing suits and dresses with jeans and sneakers. Guests of The Celebration will enjoy multiple fully-stocked premium bars (admission includes eight drink tickets), dance floors, live music, midnight champagne stations, a SKYY Vodka Specialty Martini Bar, late-night pizza, balloon drop and access to the main event outside. www.DetroitNYECelebration.com outside. www.DetroitNYECelebration.com

12 a.m. - The "D" Drop - Free. The highlight of the evening will once again be the trademark Detroit-themed ball drop. A glowing 7-foot "D" mounted on a glowing sphere will descend just seconds before midnight.

"Beacon Park's energy and beauty will provide the ideal backdrop for ringing in the New Year," said Nancy Moody, Vice President of Public Affairs for DTE Energy. "We're proud to support this Detroit tradition and to provide the venue for party goers and families alike to celebrate a one-of-a-kind New Year's Eve."

Prior to The Drop, the Downtown Detroit Markets, part of Quicken Loans' and Bedrock's commitment to establish Detroit as a retail and shopping destination, will offer a collection of more than 30 unique retailers from downtown and the greater Detroit area. The festive holiday markets are located at 1001 Woodward, Cadillac Square and Capitol Park, just a short walk from Beacon Park.

"Downtown Detroit will again be alive this New Year's Eve," said Helen Johnson, Vice President of the Quicken Loans Community Investment Fund. "Motor City NYE is a great way for Detroiters, and visitors, to ring in the New Year. From kid-friendly activities and shopping to counting in the New Year with champagne and loved ones - this event has it all."

Detroit-based Faygo is signed on to return as the Official Pop of The Drop. Faygo is sponsoring free light tubes to use at the NYE celebrations. Visitors can pick up their light tubes at the event after signing up at www.MotorCityNYE.com

"Faygo is excited to ring in 2018 with our favorite people down at Beacon Park! We are thrilled to be the official Pop of the Drop and Light Tube Sponsor as we welcome the New Year in the heart of the city. Can't wait to see everyone there," said Dawn Burch, Marketing Manager for Faygo.The Drop caps an action-packed season of events at Beacon Park, which opened in late July. Beacon Park is programmed, managed and operated by the Downtown Detroit Partnership, an in-kind sponsor of DTE Energy's Motor City NYE - The Drop, presented by Quicken Loans.
For more information on DTE Energy's Motor City NYE, presented by Quicken Loans, or to purchase tickets to the Motown Countdown or The Celebration, please visit: www.MotorCityNYE.com or call 313-355-0413. Find MCNYE on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MCNYE, or Twitter at www.twitter.com/motorcitynye

This year's event will support The Community Health and Social Services (CHASS), in southwest Detroit. For more information, please go to www.ChassCenter.org

Reach millions of Metro Detroiters. Sponsorships for Detroit's largest and most widely anticipated New Year's Eve event are still available. More information is available by calling Matt Flynn at 248-202-4662, or by emailing matt@ultimatefunproductions.com