Ring in the new year on Whiskey Row with a night of live music, fireworks and fun activities for the kids. The 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Whiskey Row Boot Drop is a party right on the street in downtown, Prescott. Watch as a 6-foot illuminated boot is lowered from 40 feet up in the air on the Palace building flagpole.

A live band will kick off the event at 7:30 p.m. on Montezuma between Gurley and Goodwin with food vendors and carnival rides in the street. The boot drops twice, first at 10 p.m., then at midnight with fireworks at both events.

Matt Brassard, co-owner of M&M Entertainment & Productions, encourages people to arrive early and enjoy one of the many downtown eateries Prescott has to offer. If you miss dinner, you can grab a quick bite at one of the several food trucks that will be parked right on the street.

“The band is going to start at 7:30 this year, which is actually half an hour earlier than previous events,” Brassard said. “We’ve always started at 8 p.m. We’re starting a little earlier this year. We’ll have the Ferris wheel up and running by that time as well. We brought the Ferris wheel back. We didn’t have the Ferris wheel last year, but we do have the Ferris wheel this year, so we’re excited about that.”

This year’s entertainment will be with the lively band The Pickup Lines, who will perform your favorite covers throughout the night. They have been entertaining in Phoenix and nationwide for years and are the most diverse party band in Arizona.

“In looking for a band this year, we really wanted something that has a wide variety that they can play to the crowd,” Brassard said. “It’s such a wide range of people that are there, so we really wanted something that could appeal to everybody. The band can mix up from ‘70s to ‘80s and ‘90s to current, and whether it be rock or country, you know, they’re just a good variety band and that’s what we were looking for.”

This year, the band will play on a new stage.

“They’re going to be retiring that city stage,” Brassard said. “They’ve had it for 25 years. They’re just starting to have issues with it, so they’re retiring at the end of this year. It’s never really fit well for the Boot Drop because of how big it is and how we have to put it on the street.”

The event will be hosted by MCs Marco Espitia, co-owner of M&M Entertainment & Productions, and singer Candace Devine.

Every year, Brassard and his business partner, Espitia work tirelessly to make sure the New Year’s Eve event runs smoothly.

“Being in the bar business as it is, I already love to see people have a great time,” Brassard said. “There’s nothing that gives me more joy than a packed bar and seeing people just have fun and let loose and it’s kind of the same thing with the Boot Drop. I’m passionate about it because I feel like it really brings the community together to celebrate the new year in a fun and family-friendly way. I think that’s just part of why I enjoy it. I just enjoy being a part of something that gives people joy.”

For more information and update, visit bootdrop.com, or call 1-800-975-0013.

Jesse Bertel is a reporter/videographer for the Prescott News Network. Follow him on Twitter @ JesseBertel, email him at jbertel@prescottaz.com, or call 928-445-3333, ext. 2043.