Sure, New York City has the hustle and bustle of Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Las Vegas has the glitter and glimmer of Las Vegas Boulevard as you usher in the New Year. And it’s hard to beat Orlando, with the splendor of Disney World, as you contemplate your New Year’s Resolution. Millions of people enjoy the splendor and fun of these locales on the last night of the year.
But are you in the mood for something different? Something off the beaten path. Say, for instance, an acorn drop. Or perhaps a chuck of cheese coming down from high above. It’s time to take a walk on the wild side and enjoy these 5 Unique US New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Watching the Acorn Drop in Raleigh
Each year, “The Great Raleigh Acorn” is removed from its perch, polished, and prepared for its annual midnight drop on New Year’s Eve in Raleigh, North Carolina. The 10-foot tall, 1,250-pound acorn sculpture was commissioned by a local artist in 1992 for Raleigh’s bicentennial celebration.
Just before midnight, a crane lowers the nut down into City Plaza. As a bonus, there are two acorn drops for people to observe. One occurs at 7 p.m. for those who retire early. Then, the main drop is at 11:59 p.m., which helps ring in the new year. The drop is all part of the First Night Raleigh celebration, which also includes music, rides, and food and beverage.
Cheese Drops the Sky in Wisconsin
Plymouth, Wisconsin, is the Official Cheese Capital of the World, so what else would they drop on New Year’s Eve but a big hunk of cheese? “The 18th Annual Big Cheese Drop,” sponsored by the Satori Cheese Company, features a drop of their award-winning BellaVitano Gold Cheese at 10 p.m.
The cheese drop is part of a larger New Year’s Eve Festival where you can dance the night away, drink hot cocoa, and, of course, eat cheese. Event sponsor Plymouth Arts Center executive director Donna Hahn said the Center started this popular New Year’s Eve tradition in 2007 to pay homage to Plymouth’s cheese heritage and its thriving industry.
Potato Drop on New Year’s Eve
You would be disappointed if you lived in Idaho and did not include a potato in your New Year’s Eve celebration. Fear not, spud lover. The City of Boise answers your prayer with the “12th Annual Idaho Potato Drop.” And this one is explosive as the poor spud gets dropped by a crane down to a world-class pyrotechnic display. In 2012, Boise resident Dylan Cline observed that his city had nothing big going on for New Year’s Eve. He created this event to bring the community together for a free, family-fun event that benefits local businesses and the State of Idaho.
Attendees can enjoy local food and hot drinks while dancing and enjoying live entertainment. There is even a tournament where skiers and snowboarders can compete for cash and prizes. And the event helps raise awareness for needy local nonprofits.
Do Pinecones Fall in Arizona?
Why yes, they do, especially when you attend “The Great Pinecone Drop” in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, drops a 70-pound, 6-foot-tall metallic pinecone at noon, 10 pm, and midnight on New Year’s Eve. The tradition started in 1999 when the hotel rang in the new millennium and honored its 100-year anniversary. The event includes music, dancing, and more. And why not make a night of it and stay at the historic 17-room hotel? Then, you can watch the pinecone drop from the comfort of your own room.
After the drop, you can enjoy the holiday splendor at Flagstaff, where you can enjoy the holiday lights, the decorations on the storefront windows, a celebration of the Winter Solstice, and even sledding for the kids.
The Conch Shell Drop in Key West
Last but not least, there is the infamous “Sloppy Joe’s 31st Annual Dropping of the Conch Shell.” It is often imitated but never outdone. This crazy ritual started in 1993 when local artist Tobias McGregor approached the management of Sloppy Joe’s Bar and Cabaret about planning an annual event for New Year’s Eve.
McGregor would say later, “Before the dropping of the conch shell, everyone would just wander around Duval Street, celebrating the New Year when their watches read midnight. The crowd was just not in sync.”
McGregor designed the original conch shell. It was rigged on a frame and lowered manually. The timing was set by watching a TV tuned into the countdown in Times Square. If the waterfront is more your cup of chowder, head over to Schooner Wharf Bar to watch “A Pirate Wench Drop.” This event finds bar owner Evelena Worthington annually dropped from the mast of one of the tall ships that are moored in Key West’s Seaport. Or head down to the Bourbon Strret Pub to see the drag queen Gary Marion do his “Red Shoe Drop.” There’s soemthing for everyone on New Year’s Eve in Key West.
So next time you’re thinking about heading to New York City or Las Vegas for your New Year’s Eve frollicking, consider one of the places on this list. You just may find that these quirky experiences are right up your alley.
