By Jacob Hatcher 

For the Enquirer  

Nearly 600 people gathered in downtown Hartselle Dec. 31 for Life Church Hartselle’s New Year’s Eve ball drop. Entertainment was provided by The Ray Sparks Band and Elvis tribute artist Bobby Hollis, as well as a livestream of the college football playoff game between the University of Georgia and Ohio State University.  

The event lasted until 11 p.m. in order to coincide with the Dick Clark’s Years Rockin’ Eve broadcast from New York City, at which time the broadcast was live streamed. 

When asked about the vision behind the ball drop, Life Church Lead Pastor Brad Sheats said, “We just love doing fun things in the community where we can all be together and enjoy our town. We wanted to give back and start the new year off with something exciting but safe and family-friendly.” 

“I thought it was fun and is only going to get better with each year,” Hartselle resident Philip Bailey said of the event. “We’re lucky that Hartselle is just the right size to still be a family town, meaning we are family. I got to see so many family members that night. I look forward to next year to see what we can do.”  

Life Church Associate Pastor Chris Shumake said, “Ultimately it is a chance for us to be the church outside of the church walls; events like that give us the opportunity to meet people where they are and share the love of Jesus with them.”