To celebrate its German roots Harmony rings in the new year early
HARMONY — Part of Butler County celebrated the new year six hours before the rest — on German time.
Attendees at Harmony's annual New Year's Eve and German heritage celebration, Silvester, counted down to 2019 at 6 p.m. Dec. 31, which was midnight in Germany.
Although the rain and cooler temperatures made crowds seem thinner, they could not fully dampen the party for many in Harmony.
Festivities began earlier in the day with a 5K and one-mile run that began in the late afternoon. The pre-registered runners faced heavy rains, puddles and mud, but many didn't let that deter them from reaching the finish line.
More people started to pour into the celebration as the time grew closer to the 6 p.m. main event of the ball drop, said Historic Harmony President Rodney Gasch.
“We always see better crowds when Mother Nature cooperates,” Gasch said.
However, Gasch said, those who braved the weather were a “hearty bunch” and that all who did make it out “seemed cheerful.”
This is an excerpt — a full story will appear in the Butler Eagle.
