If you’ve been keeping up with the world of weird news, animal rights activists have recently put a halt to the annual New Year’s Possum Drop in Brasstown, North Carolina. Yes, a possum drop. But possums aren’t the only oddball objects used to celebrate on December 31st. Here are four weird things dropped on New Year’s Eve across America. After all, why should shiny spheres in the Big Apple have all the fun?
The Acorn in Raleigh, North Carolina
Because Raleigh is the “City of Oaks”, it only makes sense that locals watch a giant symbol of oak trees plummeting from the sky each year. “The Big Acorn” is a time-honored tradition and makes its appearance as part of the city’s First Night activities.
The Peach Drop in Atlanta, Georgia
In the capital of the Peach Tree State where virtually every road has some variation of peach in the name, nothing other than that fuzzy little delicacy would be appropriate to drop on New Year’s. Atlanta goes all out with the festivities, and you can even check out the event’s website that includes a countdown to when the peach will officially plunge.
The Moon Pie in Mobile, Alabama
The Moon Pie over Mobile event features a 600-pound moon pie that descends on upwards of 40,000 revelers. But don’t get that fork and knife out yet. This celebration features an electric moon pie, not a fresh-baked one. But that doesn’t put a damper on the fun, which features a laser show and musical acts. On tap this year: the Village People. Turns out this moon pie might just offer the best kitschy fun around.
A Dead Carp in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Unlike the possum drops that use a live animal, this Wisconsin tradition uses a recently deceased carp, which is supposed to bring good luck for the coming year. Good luck for people obviously, not carp. But even if not all carp get out alive, the annual Carp Fest certainly celebrates the fish in every way possible, including–wait for it–kissing the carp. Once the dead fish descends at midnight, revelers line up to plant a smooch on the carp. You know, like kissing the blarney stone only with a slightly higher risk of anaphylaxis. And you thought you’d heard of everything.
Happy haunting, and happy New Year!
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons