DALLAS — For the sixth year, Reunion Tower is where Dallas will ring in the new year. This time, however, it’s going to be a lot different, not because of COVID, but because of air traffic.
“We’ll have 225 drones lighting up the sky,” said Rick Boss, owner of Sky Elements.
Boss’ company is the one behind this year’s new addition to the Reunion Tower New Year’s Eve Celebration: the 225-drone performance.
“When somebody sees that in the sky, it just wows them,” Boss said.
Throw in Reunion Tower’s own lights and 5,000 fireworks and it’s the only new year’s party in America that combines all three in a show like this.
“All three elements are going to combine to make a show that people are going to talk about for a long time,” said Gregg Elkin, sales and communications director for Reunion Tower.
Elkin says spectators will have to watch online or from a distance, though.
Due to a surge in COVID, there are no viewing parties and the Reunion Tower lawn is closed to the public. Elgin says anyone in Dallas should still be able to have a great view of the show.
“Anywhere downtown where you can see the ball, you’re going to be able to see it,” he said.
Anyone who wants to celebrating the new year a little early can take the kids to the Dallas Arboretum for Noon Year’s Eve.
“Right at 12 o’clock we’ll have the ball drop outside while the kids are still awake so they can enjoy it with us,” said Dustin Miller, senior director of experience and innovation at the Dallas Arboretum.
After the ball drops, guests can safely spread out in the garden’s eight acres where there will be all sorts of educational STEM activities for kids to enjoy.
“You really get to see science come alive in a way that you can’t anywhere else,” Miller said.
On New Year’s Eve, science comes to life at the arboretum and technology comes to life at Reunion Tower, which is not only one of Dallas’ most iconic structures, it’s a sign that 2022 is going to be alright.
“I think we were really a beacon of hope,” Elkin said. “That’s what we’re looking to do with this, to look ahead and take this into the year and just make it a great year for everybody.”
So what can we expect in 2022?
If the sky is any indication, things are looking up already.
For more information on “Reunion Tower: Over the Top,” visit: https://reuniontower.com/things-to-do/reunion-tower-over-the-top-nye-2021/
For more information on the Dallas Arboretum’s Noon Year’s Eve, visit: https://www.dallasarboretum.org/event/noon-years-eve/