Carytown ball will rise once again at original location New Year’s Eve

Byrd Theatre manager plans to bring the traditional celebration back to where it all started to ring in 2015.

December 29, 2014; 10:56 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

The Carytown Ball Rise, a tradition where crowds have gathered to watch a giant lit ball ascend a pole atop The Byrd Theatre, is coming home.

The event, which draws thousands each year, was moved to Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in 2013 at the last minute. Byrd Theatre manager Todd Schall-Vess tells Richmond.com he feels the event has become such a tradition that he wanted to bring it back to its original location.

The only major difference in this year’s event will be the relocation of the ball and pole to New York Deli’s rooftop to allow for better visibility from Cary Street.

While Schall-Vess acknowledges more than 10,000 are expected at the first ever New Year’s Eve event on Brown’s Island, he hopes the Carytown event will complement the downtown festivities and draw neighborhood residents looking for an event within walking distance of their homes.