Of late, there has been a flurry of activity in the Little Gap area.

Blue Mountain Ski Resort had its earliest opening of the ski season, a pair of multimillion dollar projects were completed at both the top and bottom ski lodges, and the historic covered bridge reopened last month.That action figures to only be accelerated when the Covered Bridge Inn in Palmerton sponsors its 12th annual New Year's Eve Gala and Ball Drop in Little Gap Square on New Year's Eve.The festivities will get underway when executive chef Daniel Washburn and the culinary staff prepare entrées made with the freshest farm and ocean ingredients selected by owner Ron Gilbert.Dinners will be served starting at 4 p.m. The New Year's Eve party will begin at 10 p.m. and will feature entertainment from Carbon County's own Jesse Wade.Just before midnight, the party will head into Little Gap Square for the 12th annual lighted ball drop at midnight.The ball, designed by Shawn Kresge Electric of Jim Thorpe, has 1,800 lights, and will be lowered 50 feet from a high lift provided each year by Dwight Eisenhower of JBM Mechanical of Bath.Once the ball drops, the gala continues inside into the early morning hours, Gilbert said."What really excites us about it is it gets bigger and bigger each year," Gilbert said."Whether you are coming for dinner, the party, or just to join with friends for the ball drop, it's an opportunity to cherish special times."For more information or to make reservations, call 610-826-5400.