Dewey cancels ball drop, Dewey Dunk because of weather

There will be no drop or dunk in Dewey Beach to ring in the new year as officials have canceled two events due to cold weather. 

Described as "an abundance of caution," the Dewey Beach Business Partnership has canceled both the Dewey Dunk on New Year's Day and the Ball Drop featuring a "skimboarder" at midnight on New Year's Eve.

Kelly Ranieri, Dewey Beach Business Partnership executive director, made the announcement Friday around noon.

"We had a conversation with the Sussex County Emergency Services, and out of an abundance of caution we are not doing the Dunk and the Drop at midnight," she said. "We don't want people to get frostbite."

They will not be rescheduling the event, she added. 

Safety is their No. 1 priority, she said, and people's safety comes first.

The National Weather Service said they are expecting the coldest temperatures of the season so far on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Temperatures across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are expected to be in the 20s as a high on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, with lows expected to be in the teens.

Ranieri said they calculated that the windchill value around noon on New Year's Day when the dunk would be taking place would be around zero.

Alex Pires, owner of the Highway One Group, said New Year's Eve in Dewey Beach is the last night of the season or the first night of the season, depending on how one looks at it.

The entire town participates in the New Year's events somehow, he said, and they were making 400 desserts in preparation for the Dewey Dunk.

"I understand why they canceled the Dunk, but the ball drop I don't get that," he said. "But (Dewey Beach Business Partnership) knows what's best."

The Fenwick Freeze, which was scheduled for New Year's Day, has also been canceled. It will be rescheduled for a later date, officials posted on the town's website Friday afternoon. 

A "polar bear plunge" in Ventnor, New Jersey, was canceled with officials citing temperatures in the 20s with water temperatures in the 40s.

Ocean City's and Bethany Beach's scheduled events are still going on as planned. 

READ MORE: Delaware beaches full of New Year's Day traditions

READ MORE: Good luck foods to eat on New Year's Eve

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