Strange and Surprising New Year’s Eve ‘Ball Drop’ Alternatives
Say goodbye to the traditional ball drop in these places that drop everything from mushrooms to duck decoys instead
Above image: New Year’s Eve crab drop in Easton, Maryland; photo courtesy of Discover Easton
Gone are the days when New Year revelers across America would fix their gaze on one singular glittering ball in New York City. These days, when the clock strikes whoopee, all manner of miscellaneous whatnot will be dropping into town squares, main streets and parks throughout the US.
Falling food
Foodstuffs emblematic of a local community are by far the most popular choices for dropping during a New Year’s Eve celebration. For instance, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, the mushroom capital of the world, drops an 8-foot, 700-pound, illuminated, stainless steel mushroom.
In Lebanon, Pennsylvania, they’ll let fly 100 pounds of Lebanon bologna. After the party, the bologna is donated to the Lebanon Rescue Mission, where it’s creatively transformed into two weeks of meals.
Manhattan, Kansas, affectionately known as the Little Apple, lowers—you guessed it—a little apple in Aggieville, the college town’s entertainment district. The day is filled with events ending with the apple dropping at midnight.
If you’re feeling crabby, head to Easton, Maryland, where they hoist and then drop a brightly lit faux crustacean at both 9 p.m. and midnight. It’s part of a First Night party that starts at 6 p.m. and is bound to get you out of your shell.
In honor of the town’s Eastern European heritage, Whiting, Indiana, lowers a 10-foot illuminated pierogi at midnight. The drop is followed by church bells ringing and a fireworks display. Whiting, just outside Chicago, holds a legendary pierogi festival each July.
And other stuff
In the “maybe food” category, Princess Anne, Maryland, hosts the Midnight Muskrat Dive as a taxidermied Marshall P. Muskrat, dapper in his top hat and cape, descends to a platform that lights up the new year with bright shiny lights. In the “definitely food” category, Smith Island Cake, the official dessert of Maryland, will be served at the city’s celebration that evening.
The year 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the Duck Drop in Havre de Grace, Maryland. The 8-foot by 6-foot duck decoy replica made of insulation panels and wood is adorned with more than 350 light bulbs. Post-drop, fireworks illuminate Concord Point Park.
Got flowers? The Pennsylvania cities of York and Lancaster commemorate England’s War of the Roses between the House of York and the House of Lancaster by dropping a white rose and a red rose respectively at midnight.
Of course, there’s merrymaking around every corner on New Year’s Eve. Your assignment is to drop everything, find one that suits your taste and go.