Peekskill's The Place For New Year's Eve, New Year's Day

PEEKSKILL, NY — On New Year's Eve, celebrate in downtown Peekskill at the Annual Ball Drop. Located at the corner of N. Division Street and Central Avenue, the event includes live music and great fireworks. The fun runs 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Then you better sleep fast, because at noon Jan. 1 everyone will be down at Riverfront Park.

Then at noon everyone will gather down at Riverfront Park for the 8th Annual Polar Plunge, either to dare the Hudson River or to urge the swimmers on.

The plunge benefits the This is Me Foundation and is sponsored by Peekskill restaurant The Quiet Man Public House.

All proceeds from the plunge will go towards college scholarships for local students who have faced adversity, or helped a friend through adversity, as well as national scholarships to students who have alopecia.

The event will be held at the Peekskill Riverfront Green at 12:00 p.m. sharp on Jan. 1. It is open to the public to watch and cheer on the brave plungers, those in costume and those just in swimsuits.

If you're interested in plunging or donating, plungers are required to register in advance by Dec. 30.

Locals Lauren and Caitlin Brady launched the foundation in 2012. It's aimed at raising awareness of alopecia, an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss, and spreading hope to individuals who are facing challenges. Both Lauren and Caitlin have alopecia.

For more information, or to learn more about the This Is Me Foundation and the This is Me Scholarship Fund, please visit the website.