New Years Eve is one day away. The year end count down has been done by Dick Clark for ever it seems. Watching cameras trained on Times Square New York City while a giant ball drops to the countdown, however Dick Clark I do not think would be counting down to some of the things different cities drop at New Years Eve.
Hershey Pennsylvania: It's only appropriate that the country's best known chocolate town drops an over-sized homage to cocoa on New Year's Eve. Specifically a seven-foot tall, Hershey's Kiss made out of aluminum.
Bethlehem, Pa. : Pennsylvania confection doesn't have to come in chocolate form. Eighty miles east of Hershey sits Bethlehem's Just Born Candy, maker of Peeps, the chick-shaped marshmallow candy that my wife calls "squishy and delicious."
Flagstaff Arizona: Flagstaff borders the largest Ponderosa Pine forest on the continent. So to commemorate the Weatherford Hotel turning 100 on New Year's Day in 2000, owner Sam Green felt a pinecone drop was in order.
Havre de Grace, Md.: In 1789, Havre de Grace nearly became the nation's capital, losing to Washington D.C. by one vote in a House of Representatives decision; instead the city went on to become the self-proclaimed, Decoy Capital of the World. In the early 20th century duck hunting was all the rage in Havre de Grace and as a result, wooden decoy carving developed into a local folk art. To honor both the tradition and the New Year, in 2000, the city started dropping a giant plywood duck.
Port Clinton, Ohio: Port Clinton is known as "The Walleye Capital of the World." And 14 years ago, to honor their scaly mascot, this Lake Erie resort community began dropping a 20-foot, 600-pound Walleye on New Year's Eve. "The idea arose just where most great ideas are generated ... in a bar!" says Mike Snider, Walleye Madness at Midnight Committee Chairman.
Key West, Fla.: In Key West, eccentricity runs rampant. So it's no wonder that the quirky Key has enough energy to host three separate drops: an enormous fiberglass conch shell, a pirate wench and a drag queen.
I am sure there are smaller cities you may know of that drop similar goofy things however the weirdest one of them all hands down has to go out to…drum roll please………….
Tallapoosa, Ga. Tallapoosa was originally named Possum Snout after a Creek Indian Chief. When the region officially became a city in 1860 the name was changed to its current, more dignified moniker, an Indian word for "Golden River." But since you can't drop a Tallapoosa, the city chose to drop an opossum on New Year's Eve instead. No need to alert PETA - though once a living, breathing critter, the marsupial is no longer with us; he lives on thanks to local taxidermy and museum curator Bud Jones. In addition to the drop, expect live entertainment, food venders and fireworks, all followed by a "Possum Snout Breakfast," which I hope isn't what it sounds like. I just can’t get enough Possum Belly…icky poo!
Well now that my stomach is turning in knots…just going crazy over the thought of rodent breakfast…I will wish you all a Good Morning…doesn’t that just make that Breakfast roll taste better knowing you could have spread a little Possum on it…Oh I am getting sick…
Now I would love to be in Key West for the dropping of all but the drag queen because I have enjoyed Conch Chowder and although I have not enjoyed a Pirate Queen, I still like the thought. Arrrrr Shiver me Timbers…Ya do have some mighty fine tail winds…wait…I am not a Pirate!
Oh well, would be fun.
Have a fabulous day
A Huge Hug and Numerous Pats
Marrtay
