MACHIAS, Maine — Machias businessman Bill Burke wants to see a large-scale, public New Year’s celebration held closer to home.
The closest such celebrations take place 45 miles away in Eastport and 85 miles west in Bangor.
“We should be doing this stuff here,” he said.
Burke is in the process of organizing the Downeast Lobstah Drop, an event to include an evening of entertainment culminating with a fiberglass lobster being dropped from above the roof of his restaurant, Pat’s Pizza.
“This year, we are asking you to try something new. Instead of sitting home and watching a ball drop on TV, you can experience a night full of performances, activities [and] learning, and watch our own Downeast Lobstah Drop,” Burke said in a letter sent to other area businesses seeking support, donations and sponsorships so that he can make the event free for everyone.
He doesn’t want anyone to be excluded because of financial difficulty.
“I hate to say it, but it comes down to the almighty dollar,” Burke said. “I want it to be free for people.”
In order to pay for everything, he needs to raise $8,500 and has, so far, raised about half that, he said. Donations are still coming in.
Burke said he got the idea for the event in September and started asking customers whether they would support a New Year’s Eve bash in town.
“There’s not a heck of a lot going on here,” he said. “There’s nothing for the kids to do, for the young adults.”
Many in the community also have pitched in to help make it a reality.
Washington Academy students are actually building the lobster, which will be made of fiberglass. It will hold a pint of blueberries in one claw and a blueberry rake in the other. A wreath will be hung above it that will not drop.
“[Blueberries, lobster and wreaths] are the three things Machias is known for,” he said.
The lobster, which will be two to three feet long, will be mounted 61 feet above the ground so it will be higher than the roof of Pat’s Pizza.
Of course, people won’t come out just to see a ball — or lobster — drop, Burke said. The key is to provide entertainment for the entire evening.
He started by asking businesses if they would be willing to stay open late New Year’s Eve. Many responded that they would, he said.
“If we can keep [people] here and we stay open later, they’re going to spend their money,” Burke said.
The next thing was to book entertainment. Mad Science of Maine will be doing two shows demonstrating magic using chemistry. Also in the entertainment lineup is Audio Body, a techno comedy group. A magician will do a show for children and another show geared more toward adults, Burke said.
Shows will take place at the University of Maine at Machias performing arts building, at the Rose Gaffney Elementary School and at the Porter Memorial Library.
Bangor Savings Bank will be open and putting on a hat parade where contestants will create their own hats and vie for prizes. A bonfire will be set up along Route 1, across from Pat’s Pizza.
Burke wants to see the celebration become an annual event.
“People are saying it’s the buzz around town,” he said.
Sharon Mack, director of the Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, agreed.
“People are very, very excited,” she said, adding she was glad Burke wants it to be free.
“It’s so important to make it an equal opportunity event,” she said.
For more information, visit downeastlobstahdrop.com.