GR fills downtown to welcome 2013

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Thousands of people filled the streets around Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids to listen to free concerts, ice skate and welcome in 2013.

With the streets closed, the stage built, the ice rink ready and the ball in place, all was set for the fifth annual HOT-FM New Year's Eve party near Rosa Parks Circle.

By the evening, the energy downtown had picked up as thousands of people flooded the area. Officers said everyone was well-behaved and no one was arrested.

Jesse McCartney headlined the now-annual HOT-FM New Year's Eve event with musical help from Baby Bash, The Outer Vibe, Sylvia Yacoub from "The Voice" and Nate Holley.

The stage for the free concert was on Monroe between Louis and Pearl, as it was last year, so people continued ice skating on Rosa Parks Circle. Party-goers also danced and hula-hooped.

Couples, teens and small children were downtown, waiting for the ball to drop. Nick and Hannah Cappelletti came all the way from Lansing for the party.

"Kids are a home. We're out with friends, having a good time," Nick told 24 Hour News 8.

"It's been really fun," added Hannah.

The ball drop took place exactly at midnight to ring in 2013.

"My favorite part is having dinner at that restaurant across the street," said Mike Papanoli, another party-goer. "Watching the ball come down and then giving my wife a big kiss welcoming the new year."