Bangor -
Bangor isn't known for its beaches, but once a year it is known for a beach ball. What started as a joke among friends seven years ago has turned into a New Year's Eve tradition for Bangor's Downtown Countdown.
"It just really took off into this major, major thing," said Andy Day, Manager of Paddy Murphy's Pub.
Downtown Countdown Event Organizer Joshua Gass said, "Year after year, a crowd started forming anticipating the coming of the beach ball."
At midnight the beach ball, which is bigger than ever before this year, will be thrown from Paddy Murphy's roof. Thousands are expected to come watch.
It's one of many events making up this year's Downtown Countdown.
"Some of them are family friendly and kid friendly and some of them cater to more of a late night crowd," explained Gass.
For some of them, you need the Downtown Countdown button to get in. Buttons cost $5.00 and will get you into music venues like the Bangor Opera House and Bagel Central, which will host a blues band New Year's Eve.
It will also get you into Countdown Headquarters, which has a great view of the main stage in West Market Square and of course, the beach ball drop.
Organizers are particularly excited for something new this year: the Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bunyan competition.
Gass described it as, "a fun competition where people are participating in a pancake eating competition and there's a flannel fashion show and they're also going to be arm wrestling against some firefighters."
The winners of that contest will help do the honors of throwing the beach ball off the roof and helping the entire Downtown Countdown crowd welcome 2013.
Vist CountdownBangor.com for more information.
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