NEW YEAR’S EVE PREPARATIONS — Randy Yost, left, Wellsburg’s wastewater superintendent; and Brandon Yost, city crew member; prepare to raise the lighted ball that will be dropped onto the Wellsburg Town Square tonight. Brandon was among Brooke High School vocational students who created the ball, which has become part of a New Year’s tradition for the city. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — While thousands will gather at New York’s Times Square tonight to watch the famous ball drop usher in 2020, many Wellsburg residents will turn their attention instead to a lighted ball descending upon the city’s town square and to a fireworks display immediately following that.

Coordinated in recent years by City Collector-Treasurer Andrea Morris, the event is much more low-keyed than the celebration in the Big Apple but still very much enjoyed.

Depending on the weather, up to 100 will come to the square at about 10 p.m. to enjoy music by a disc jockey, hot chocolate and cookies (often served inside City Hall) and receive T-shirts or other giveaways while waiting for the ball to drop at midnight.

About 5 feet in diameter, the lighted ball was created by vocational students at Brooke High School several years ago. Each year it’s hoisted up a flagpole just outside City Hall by city crews.

“It takes about 38 seconds for it to drop,” said Randy Yost, the city’s wastewater superintendent, as he worked with others in his department to assemble the ball and raise it above the square on Monday morning.

The group used an electric winch at the flagpole’s base to raise the ball, and the same device will be used to lower it.

Yost noted the first year the ball was dropped, a winch attached to an all-terrain vehicle was used.

Assisting Yost in preparing the ball were Jim Shaffer, Bill Baehr and Brandon Yost, who remembers helping to create the ball as a freshman in Matt Moore’s metal shop class in 2008.

Brandon said he has been involved in the event in some way ever since and will be one of several volunteers helping with the celebration tonight.

Morris thanked the city workers, Wellsburg Council — which funds the fireworks — and others for supporting the yearly event.

She said it’s a tradition many Wellsburg residents seem to look forward to, whether they come to the square or watch the fireworks from their homes.

“Hopefully we can keep that tradition forever,” she said.

Morris also organized the community Halloween party held at Central Park this year.

She also expressed thanks to the many involved in that event, including the Brooke High School Leo Club, the school’s chapter of Health Occupation Students of America and local businesses who either manned one of its 10 treat stations or made a donation.

Morris added two boys’ bicycles and two girl’s bikes donated by the Wellsburg Lions Club were given away.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)