WAYNESBORO– Mainstreet Waynesboro and F&M Trust will deliver the sixth annual Boro Blast at two locations on New Year’s Eve in downtown.
The event will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Main Street Park at 25 E. Main St., while the KidsZone section of the event will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at The Counting House Banquet & Event Center at 10 W. Main St.
The Boro Blast is highlighted by family fun, giveaways and the dropping of an oversized item that recognizes a different local businesses every year.
This year, a giant chicken McNugget will be lowered from high above Main Street Park into a giant container of Sweet ‘N Sour sauce. The Nugget honors McDonald’s 50th year on Main Street in Waynesboro. The store opened in 1973.
The giant McNugget was created by National Art Honor Society students at Waynesboro Area Senior High School under the direction of WASHS art teacher Melanie Erb. Past creations by Erb and her students for the Boro Blast include a giant Waynesburger, a 6-foot ice cream cone from Antietam Dairy, a sneaker from James Shoes, and a giant slice of pizza from Frank’s Pizza.
When the McNugget hits the sauce at 7 p.m., a net filled with approximately 800 balloons will be opened at Main Street Park. Kids of all ages get to pop the balloons to create a unique “fireworks” display.
Other event highlights include:
- Champion carver Danny Kissel will be making his sixth appearance at Boro Blast, creating a unique ice sculpture
- Rs Entertainment will be spinning the tunes at Main Street Park from 5 to 7:30
- Lead sponsor F&M Trust will be handing out hundreds of gift cards donated by local businesses and helping Mainstreet Waynesboro volunteers run a raffle to give away several big prizes, including brand new kids bikes donated by Walmart of Waynesboro, and a chance to jump in the money machine to grab as much cash as they can in 30 seconds!
- Local STEM teacher Julie Diaz will be running a free STEM creation table in the KIdsZone for kids from 5 to 6:30
- KidsZone, which is sponsored by Erin Shank State Farm, will also include a story time and a craft station
- Fat Russ BBQ and The Cupcake Gypsy will be selling their one-of-a-kind treats along Main Street during the event
- McDonald’s also serves as the 2024 Swag sponsor, allowing hundreds of participants to be properly attired for the new year
“We love doing the Boro Blast for the community,” said Bill Kohler, director of Economic Development for Mainstreet Waynesboro since 2016. “It’s a lot of work, but also a lot of fun that really sees the community come together to start off a new year.”
Kohler said the Blast is held earlier in the day on New Year’s Eve so families can hang out together and then return home safely or make other plans for later in the evening.
Attendance at the event has varied over the years, depending on the weather, but attracted more than 750 people to Main Street Park on New Year’s Day in 2019.
F&M Trust has been the lead sponsor of the event since its inception.
