Hackettstown successfully completes test run of M&M’S® ball drop ahead of second annual New Year’s Eve Blast

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (Warren County) — The organizers of Hackettstown’s second annual New Year’s Eve Blast successfully completed a test run of the M&M’S® ball drop on Friday, just days ahead of Tuesday night’s highly anticipated festivities.

The nearly 59-pound, 40-inch diameter M&M, made of fiberglass, was hoisted to the top of a J&R Tree Service truck before being lowered onto a platform. The dry run was conducted to ensure everything would go smoothly for the town’s second annual M&M’S® ball drop, which will be a highlight of the New Year’s Eve celebration, according to Darren Tynan, Chairman of the New Year’s Eve Blast Committee.

“The test run for the M&M’S® ball drop was a success today,” Tynan said, confirming that the event is set to go ahead as planned.

The M&M, which features over 1,000 LED lights, will light up at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening and begin its dramatic descent at 11:59 p.m., marking the final moments of 2024.

“Hackettstown is thrilled to host the 2nd Annual NYE Blast,” said Mayor Jerry DiMaio. “We are fortunate to have Mars actively involved in our event, along with our other generous sponsors who have contributed. Additionally, I’m grateful for the hard work of the New Year’s Eve Blast Committee, as well as the support of our local, state, and county partners, including our county commissioners, who all help make this celebration a success.”

Honored guest Michal Riha, Site Director for the Mars Hackettstown facility, will kick off the countdown to ring in the new year.

“Our iconic M&M’S have been part of the Hackettstown community since 1958 and millions of M&M’S are produced here every day,” said Michal Riha, Site Director, Mars Hackettstown. “We’re proud to call Hackettstown home and I’m honored to be part of this year’s celebration as we welcome 2025 with an M&M’S countdown.”

“The Hackettstown Business Improvement District could not be more excited to be co-hosting the second annual Hackettstown NYE event,” said Laurie Rapisardi, Executive Director of the Hackettstown Business Improvement District. “With the amazing success of last year’s event, we are looking forward to a bigger event with more offerings. We also look forward to welcoming many new visitors from far and wide to Hackettstown, with hopes that they will support our local businesses that evening. We cannot wait to celebrate with everyone!”

The festivities, which promise to be a memorable way to ring in the New Year, will take place in the heart of Downtown Hackettstown. The event will run from 8:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and attendees can look forward to an exciting night full of entertainment and celebration as the countdown to 2025 begins.

For more information on the event, click here.