Get ready for a unique and unforgettable way to ring in the New Year in Salida! On December 31st, the City of Salida and High Country Bank are teaming up to bring you a heartwarming NYE celebration. The highlight of the evening will be the drop of a giant, lighted heart (approximately 8 feet tall!) from the Salida Fire Department’s ladder truck, raised up over 50 feet in the air. This special moment will mark the arrival of the New Year in a truly local way.

The heart will drop twice, each synced with a live countdown clock visible to all attendees. The first drop will take place at 9:00 PM for families with young children and those who prefer an early celebration. The second drop, of course, will happen at Midnight for those ready to ring in the New Year with a bang!

Event Details:

• Location: The heart will be dropped at the corner of F Street and Sackett Avenue.
• Street Closures: F Street will be closed to vehicles between Sackett and 1st, and Sackett will be closed between E and F for staging the fire truck and event setup. Pedestrians are invited to enjoy the event in these areas. Parking will be available on the opposite side of the F Street bridge and in other downtown areas.
• Festivities: The evening will be filled with dance and holiday tunes spun by a DJ from approximately 7:30 PM to Midnight. Dan R. from Heart of the Rockies Radio will emcee the event, bringing extra energy to the celebration. The Salida Starlettes will also perform leading up to both heart drops.
• Warming Areas and Refreshments: It’s going to be chilly, so there will be warming stations around the event, as well as places to grab hot beverages and tasty food. Downtown businesses will be open late, creating a festive atmosphere for all to enjoy!

This celebration is made possible by generous sponsors including High Country Bank (Title Sponsor), Heart of the Rockies Radio (Supporting Sponsor), Monarch (Supporting Sponsor), and Boathouse Cantina/Pizza Rio and Kaleidoscope Toys (Community Sponsors).

Mark your calendars and come down to F Street for a heartfelt, homegrown celebration to welcome 2025. It’s an event you won’t want to miss—see you there!