Photos by Experience Prescott & Blushing Cactus Photography
by Ruth harries, Ruth Writes
At the strokes of 10 p.m. (for families and early birds) and midnight (for more late-night partiers) Jan. 31, thousands cheered on 2023 during the 12th annual Boot Drop on Whiskey Row in downtown Prescott.
The free event highlighted a 6-foot illuminated cowboy boot being lowered from a 40-foot flagpole from a top the historic Palace building. Fireworks boomed for both countdowns. The earlier drop occurred simultaneously with the traditional Ball Drop in New York City.
The boot was lifted to the Palace building’s roof by crane early one morning around the last week in December.
“It’s really the only way to get it up there,” said Matt Brassard, co-owner of M&M Entertainment & Productions. “We have a new pulley system that’s quite sophisticated, but maybe someday it will be even more advanced.”
Brassard and his many volunteers handled all the numerous event details from infrastructure to entertainment to vendors, as well as being on the roof for the actual countdowns.
He said his crew was excited to have had a new stage to try out this year and “grateful to Prescott ProSound for handling the sound production for the music, video and live streaming every year.”
Prescott’s New Year’s Eve party was hosted by local performer and singer Candace Devine and Marco Espitia, co-owner of M&M Entertainment & Productions. The evening included street vendors, carnival games, rides and prizes given away throughout
the night.
The Pickup Lines performed throughout the festivities.
The event was presented by Desert Financial Credit Union, Experience Prescott Office of Tourism, and Prescott Outpatient Surgical Center.
