Westminster Welcomes 2012

Westminster enjoyed a New Year's Eve countdown on Main Street Saturday night to ring in 2012.

Mayor Kevin Utz said that he was pleasantly surprised by the turnout at the event.

"It was a little scary, not knowing if people would show up and enjoy," Utz said in an email.

"Old, young, gangs of families, friends and folks from out of town showed up...large family groups were seen walking in by the dozens," Utz said.

Former mayor and local artist Kevin Dayhoff attended the countdown and detailed the festivities in his blog.

Dayhoff said, "at the stroke of midnight New Year’s Day in downtown Westminster, nothing dropped. Not a brightly lighted ball--or anything, for that matter."

"As the crowd shouted in unison, “five, four, three, two, one; Happy New Year” - a large American flag was raised on a bright yellow bucket lift donated by Ben’s Rental. “2012” accompanied the flag in numbers in bright lights on a homemade four-by- eight Styrofoam backboard powered by a portable generator," Dayhoff wrote in his blog.

Lori Graham, owner of Dutterer's Florist, coordinated the event. She reported at a recent common council meeting that she had received numerous suggestions for what could be "dropped" at the stroke of midnight. In the end she decided not to drop anything.

Dayhoff wrote in his blog, "In honor of the troops, the men and women in uniform, coming home from the Middle East, Graham wanted to honor their service by raising the flag for the Carroll County New Year’s celebration. 'I wanted a patriotic Westminster family-oriented event,' Graham said.”

Mayor Utz recognized those involved for their work in making the evening a success. He thanked Lori Graham, city staff, Blaine Brown (the DJ), Ben's Rental for the crane and Dutterer's Florist staff for putting this event together. 

Based on the success of this year's event, we may see it become an annual New Year's tradition in Carroll County.