Most Barry County communities are planning events for the holiday season. A big part of Hastings celebrations, the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in the downtown, will be back with unanimous approval of the Hastings City Council.
Speaking for the event’s organizers, Carl Schoessel said this year’s event will again have a fun run, a big tent at the corner of Jefferson and State Street, vendors with displays and sales, WBCH’s Dave McIntyre as emcee/ DJ from 9 p.m. to midnight, and illuminations as the ball drops at midnight on Dec. 31 to bring in 2018.
A banner across State Street will announce the events ninth year. A wedding and the swearing-in of David Tossava as mayor of Hastings have happened at previous ball drops, Schoessel said, and there may be something special this year. The event attracts around 1,000 people, with last year the third highest crowd in its history. It is sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority with support from the Barry County Chamber of Commerce.//
Also on Monday, the council approved the construction of another hanger at the Hastings City Barry County Airport. Both the city and county recently approved one new hanger; however, Airport Manager Mark Noteboom said an anonymous donor has offered to fund a second hanger for another commercial customer who has requested a hanger.
The Stedfast Company, contracted to build the first hanger for $200,600, has agreed to construct the second for the same price. City Manager Jeff Mansfield said the transaction will be a “pass through,” with $200,600 as income and $200,600 as an expense. “This is a unique situation. It doesn’t happen often,” he said.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners also has to approve the addition.
