NORTH ADAMS — The city resurrected its own Times Square downtown on New Year's Eve.

For the third year, wearing shiny "Happy New Year" hats and blowing paper horns, about 200 residents gathered in excitement for what 2026 might bring after North Adams' own sparkling steel ball slowly dropped in the Center Street parking lot.

Residents bundled up with hot cocoa in hand as they counted down the ball drop at 8 p.m. instead of midnight to allow more families to join and still get to other celebrations.

"In a world that is so changing, we want to show unity in the leadership here in the city of North Adams," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey before leading the ball drop countdown. "I wish you all the best in the upcoming year: health, happiness and prosperity and most of all, a sense of community."

The North Adams Police Department served hot cocoa and hot dogs and the Office of Community Events and Tourism handed out New Year's bling to residents who braved the bitter cold to celebrate.

Residents enjoyed the third annual New Year's Eve Ball Drop in North Adams at the Center Street parking lot on Wednesday night. More than 200 people braved the cold to countdown to 2026 at 8 p.m.

Since 2024, hundreds have gathered to watch the steel sphere descend down its pole to ring in the new year. The idea was pitched by Macksey's sister, Libby, and was then brought to life by North Adams Sheet Metal.

Owner Bud Sherman, who opened North Adams Sheet Metal in 1988, said he was shocked when he arrived the first year to a "packed" Center Street lot.

"I've lived here my whole life, so it is nice to see something done for the people in the area,"  said Sherman, who said it took him and his grandsons about a month to create the ball out of steel, iron rings and metal pipes, working on it intermittently between regular business hours. The Highway Department now stores and mans it each year.

Libby said she wanted to start a new tradition and it took about a year to convince her sister to do it. In previous years, she stood up front with her sister, but this year, she sat in the back of the crowd in her car to "take it in."

Mayor Jennifer Macksey and members of the City Council hosted the third annual New Year's Eve Ball Drop in North Adams on Wednesday night. Director of Community Events Lindsay Randall said her goal for 2026 was to "bring more to city events that we host."

As for her goal for 2026, she is already brewing up ideas for another community event.

Macksey, who historically has not liked New Year's, called the early-night celebration a "happy medium" of calm and fun for her.

"I guess it's from working in restaurants years ago [during New Year's]," she said. "I just like to take it slow and easy ... This makes it nice and relaxing. It is an in-between to satisfy everyone's wishes on New Year's."

When asked about their goals and resolutions for 2026, some residents wanted to get better at a skill or hobby, while others hoped for a healthy and safe year or resolved to spend more time with loved ones. Some kids hoped Christmas would extend into the New Year, like Autumn Anderson.

"I want a big toy, any big toy," he said. His brother, Levi, had a similar idea, saying he hopes for a "new TV."

The brothers' older cousin, Michelle Wood, was looking forward to starting her new role as senior resident assistant at American International College in Springfield.

"It opens up new opportunities for me and I am excited," she said.

Her sister Norah, a senior basketball player at Drury High School, was looking forward to seeing more of her sister again in 2026 as she continues her basketball career at American.

After passing out horns and hats to the crowd, Director of Community Events Lindsay Randall said her goal for 2026 was to "bring more to city events that we host."

City Councilor Ashley Shade was ready to start her next two-year term. The goal at the top of her mind was updating the city code to simpler language.

"Once it is done, it will be easier for everyone to understand," she said.

Mayor Jennifer Macksey and members of the North Adams City Council celebrated at the third annual New Year's Eve Ball Drop in North Adams at the Center Street parking lot on Wednesday night. "In a world that is so changing, we want to show unity in the leadership here in the city of North Adams," Macksey said.

And for local mom Emily Hinkell, 2026 was the year her son Connor would go to college. She wanted to soak up as much time with him and cherish his remaining baseball games before he leaves the nest.

"I want to be more present," she said. "I just want to embrace it with him."

Her younger son, Easton, thought long and hard about what his 2026 goal would be.

"To be the best at Beyblade and soccer," said Easton, 7, whose favorite position was striker.

North Adams Projects Coordinator William Shanahan said his goal for 2026 was as sincere as it was generic— "To spend more time with friends, family and the community in North Adams."