No ball drop will drop this year on New Year's Eve like it did last year in downtown Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK, Mich (WXYZ) - There will be no ball drop in downtown Royal Oak on New Year’s Eve like there was last year.

Businesses like Lily’s Seafood will miss not having the ball drop be a continued tradition.

“I think the city itself and the folks who live here would like to see it come back, as would we,” said Bob Morton, co-owner of the restaurant.

Morton said they are working with other local restaurants and businesses to bring the event back after Cumulus Media decided not to put on the event this year.  Cumulus Media bought Citadel Broadcasting who organized last year’s event.    

“It brought a ton of people downtown and there was a lot of excitement.  We found that our New Year’s event lasted a lot longer than it normally did,” said Morton.

The ball practically dropped outside their door.  The concert and ball drop took place at the corner of Washington Avenue and Sixth Street.  Along with the event came a steady crowd of about 8,000 people.

But not everyone is upset about not seeing the event this year, in fact some of the businesses and restaurants are happier without it.   

“For a business like us it’s actually better because we are so far away from it.  It didn’t bring us any benefit,” said Stephanie Atias, manager at the Royal Oak Brewery.

This is the first time in 12 years that the Royal Oak Brewery will be open to the public on New Year’s Eve and not be closed for a private party.

“Things can get a little dull and stale so we wanted to make it a little new,” said Atias.

Venues like the Royal Oak Music Theatre expect to have around 1,500 party people Saturday night.

“If you like Michael Frank, you can’t beat Ben Sharkey.  He’ll be performing second and then the DJs will take us until 4:00 a.m.,” said Stephanie Puertas, owner of Stay and Play Social Club.

Royal Oak is generally a hot spot for ringing in the new year with or without a ball drop, but that does not mean it cannot happen again next year.  Some of the local businesses are hoping to generate funds for the family friendly event to come back in 2012.

Speculation over why Cumulus Media did not continue the event ranges from the fact that the event may have fallen through the cracks with their takeover of Citadel Broadcasting, or there may have not been enough funding for it this year. Last year the event was co-sponsored with Saab Cars North America. Cumulus Media did not return our phone calls.