New York City's famous ball drop in Times Square is a spectacular sight, but there are many other uniquely wonderful ways to ring in the New Year around the United States.
Revellers can choose from crabs, pirates, pickles, cheeses and more — they're all set to fall at midnight on December 31. While the various "drops" around the country range from clever to wacky, it's clear that New Year's Eve is about celebrating traditions and enjoying the company of a crowd.
1. Key West, Florida — conch, drag queen and pirate
Choose to watch a conch, drag queen, or pirate wench descend at midnight in Key West.
Duval Street hosts two celebrations, including the annual conch shell drop from the roof of Sloppy Joe's Bar and the lowering of local legend Drag Queen Sushi in her glittering six-foot tall, red, high-heeled shoe.
Along the harbor, the Schooner Wharf Bar lowers a costumed pirate wench.
2. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania — marshmallow Peep
Although Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is widely recognized for its Christmas attractions, its New Year's Eve Peep drop has become a sweet tradition.
A 25-pound fiberglass illuminated Peep is dropped from a crane at midnight. Adding to the excitement this year is Peeps Fest, a sweet new festival showcasing the wonderful world of Peeps!
3. Port Clinton, Ohio — fish
[YouTube link]
Now in its 15th year, the self-proclaimed "Walleye Capital of the World" drops a 20-foot, 600-pound fiberglass walleye fish named Wylie from the sky at midnight.
4. Mount Olive, North Carolina — pickle
(image credit: Digital Papercuts)
In North Carolina a three-foot-tall glowing pickle makes a 45-foot plunge down the Mount Olive Pickle Company's flagpole into a redwood pickle tank.
5. Elmore, Ohio — sausage
(The Elmore Ohio sausage drop from Davey K)
Inspired by the town's longest running business, Tank's Meats, Elmore's locals drop a brilliantly lit, 18-foot sausage from the sky to welcome in the New Year. The celebration also includes zany events like a raw sausage toss, the sausage eating contest and a dress your dog contest for children.
Alas, the village is unable to have the sausage drop this year!
6. Lebanon, Pennsylvania — bologna
(via: Wikipedia)
Weighing in at 120 pounds, Lebanon's seven-and-a-half-foot edible bologna has been the star of this town's New Year's Eve celebration for more than eight years. This free annual celebration lists the help of a city fire department ladder truck to lower the super-sized bologna at midnight.
7. New Orleans, Louisiana — gumbo pot
[YouTube link]
Following Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans added a new tradition to their annual New Year's Eve celebration by dropping a paper mâché gumbo pot. At midnight fireworks go off along the Mississippi River, accompanying the majestic gumbo pot drop.
8. Easton, Maryland — crab
[YouTube link]
For the past six years, First Night Talbot in Easton, Maryland has been ringing in the new year with a giant crab drop. Around 1,500 people come out to see the monstrous replica of a steamed red crab descend.
9. Plymouth, Wisconsin — cheese
(Plymouth WI Cheese Drop from Don Harder)
In a town known for producing high quality cheese, it's no surprise that Plymouth, Wisconsin rings in the new year by dropping a big hunk of their beloved dairy product at midnight. Sadly, the cheese is not edible. But it's still an impressive sight.
10. Raleigh, North Carolina — acorn
(via: Wikipedia)
Each New Year's Eve, the town borrows a 1,250 pound copper acorn from the city's Moore Square to star in their New Year's countdown. Known as the "City of Oaks," Raleigh has been dropping this massive acorn for the past 18 years at 7:30 p.m. and again at midnight.
(Sources: TripAdvisor and Reuters)
Previously on Lists Galore!
10 outrageously fun things to do & see around the world
10 of the wildest rides outside of an amusement park
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