The National Cherry Festival (NCF) will officially partner with the CherryT Ball Drop this year to host the New Year Eve's event in downtown Traverse City.

NCF will provide volunteers and other resources to assist with the event in 2017, according to an announcement made Tuesday. “It’s a natural fit,” NCF Executive Director Kat Paye said in a statement. "Both of our organizations bring visitors to the area and give to the local community, and of course there’s the huge cherry."

This year's event will once again feature a large illuminated cherry suspended high above Park and Front streets that will descend at midnight accompanied by fireworks. Downtown streets will close at 4pm on New Year's Eve to allow for event set-up. The evening will kick off with a 7:30pm family-friendly magic show featuring performer Ben Whiting at the City Opera House. Tickets are available online here, with all proceeds benefiting local charities. Public entertainment will begin in the streets starting at 10pm.

As with past events, the CherryT Ball Drop will have a charitable component this year. Attendees are encouraged to bring a $3 donation to help fill local food pantries. Donations will be collected during the event by volunteer bell ringers from the Salvation Army. The CherryT Ball Drop has raised over $80,000 in donations over the past eight years.