Richard Liebson

rliebson@lohud.com

WHITE PLAINS – How many public officials does it take to change a light bulb?

None, it turns out, if you're talking about the big ball that will be dropped from a 150-foot crane at the city's annual New Year's Eve celebration.

Nonetheless, Mayor Tom Roach, Public Works Commissioner Joseph "Bud" Nicoletti, Recreation and Parks Commissioner Wayne Bass and his deputy, Fran Croughan, were all on hand Tuesday morning as the 8-foot diameter ball was tested to make sure it was ready for this year's extravaganza.

With a flick of a switch, some 10,000 LED bulbs turned the wire-framed ball into a mini sun, with a dozen strobes sending bursts of light dancing around the Brockway Place DPW garage.

"We switched to energy efficient LED bulbs two years ago," Nicoletti explained. "Before then, we'd have to change about half the lights each year. These have a life span of 50,000 hours, so they should last awhile."

Crowds of 15,000 to 20,000 are expected for this year's bash, to be held in the heart of the downtown business district at Main and Court Streets. The celebration, from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., features live music, plenty of food options, fireworks and the ball drop.

"This is truly a family friendly event and we invite everyone in the region to ring in the New Year in White Plains," Roach said. "It's a warm, safe, friendly atmosphere and a good time for everyone."

As has become part of the tradition, White Plains-based Heineken USA, one of a host of event sponsors, is offering its "New Year. Safe Ride." program, making free rides home available anywhere in Westchester to revelers over the age of 21 from 11 p.m. Wednesday to 3 a.m. Thursday. The car service station will be located on the corner of East Post Road and Mamaroneck Avenue.

Croughan said Tuesday's ball test is the final step in a planning process that begins two weeks after the New Year and involves the White Plains Business Improvement District, and the city's recreation and parks, DPW and public safety and parking departments.

"It's a lot of work but it's one of our favorite events," she said. "We give people a traditional, stylish New Year's Eve celebration that's a lot of fun. It really couldn't happen without the skill and expertise of all of the departments involved in the planning."

Twitter: @RichLiebson