On New Year's Eve, many localities in America mark the beginning of a year through the raising or lowering of an object. Many of these events are patterned off festivities that have been held at New York City's Times Square since 1908, where a large crystal ball is lowered down a pole atop One Times Square (beginning its descent at 11:59:00 p.m. local time, and concluding at midnight).[1] In turn, the event was inspired by the time balls used by ship navigators in the 19th century to calibrate their chronometers.
Whilst some of these events use a ball in imitation of Times Square, many "drops" utilize objects that represent an aspect of local culture, geography, or history. Ball drops are by far the most common in, but not exclusive to, the United States.
Brooksville, Florida: A 200-pound tangerine was dropped 40 feet during the countdown to midnight until 2009.[4][5][6] The tangerine dropped was an emblem of the citrus industry that once thrived in Brooksville.
Key West, Florida (Sloppy Joe's Bar): The Key West Conch Drop, where a six-foot Queen Conch Shell drops 20 feet to the top of the bar to usher in the New Year, is held annually for the island's official New Year celebrations.[citation needed]
Miami, Florida: Miami is home of "The Big Orange" Drop. (Florida is the orange state) A 35-foot piece of flat neon signage, dubbed “Mr. Neon” and designed in the shape of an orange with sunglasses,[9] rises 400 feet until it reaches the top of the Hotel Intercontinental Miami and is dropped from the top.[10][11]
Orlando, Florida: The Annual Church Street Entertainment New Year’s Eve Street Party includes "a huge video wall, confetti cannons, fireworks, and the tradition of the Orange Drop high above Church Street".[12][13]
Sarasota, Florida: A glowing pineapple is dropped at midnight to ring in the new year in southwest Florida.[12][13]
Cornelia, Georgia: Cornelia hosts a "Little Red Apple" Drop and Dance in honor of the region's apple growers. The "Big Red Apple" located at the train depot is not dropped.[18][19][20]
Marietta, Georgia: In October 2015, the Marietta city council approved a cube designed by students at Kennesaw State University to drop on New Year's Eve for Marietta's first ever New Year's Eve ball drop, but additional details were kept silent. During the countdown, an aerialist from the Proia Dance Project dropped from the cube and performed until a few minutes after midnight. The event confused many people in attendance.[30]
Kokomo, Indiana: An aluminum 70-pound Ball with 34,000 lights is dropped during The Kokomo Downtown Association New Year’s Eve Celebration.[37][38][39]
Vincennes, Indiana (near Terre Haute): The giant 18-foot, 500-pound steel-and-foam Watermelon Ball is raised 100 feet in the air during the 60-second countdown at midnight, then the replica releases 11 real locally-grown watermelons.[41][42][43][44]
Fort Wayne, Indiana: A Ball is Dropped as part of an event entitled The 'Fort Wayne New Year's Eve Ball Drop' which first started in 2016.[45] The original drop was a projection which prompted a group of engineers to volunteer their time in creating an 8 ft. in diameter, low-poly ball covered in translucent acrylic plastic, and lit with over 380,000 lumens of LEDs. As of 2017, the ball is hoisted 80 feet over the corner of Baker and Ewing St., and lowered by crane as the New Year rings in.[46]
Maine
Bangor, Maine: A beach ball covered in Christmas lights has been thrown off the top of a local restaurant since 2005.[47]
Eastport, Maine: A sardine is dropped in a nod to the area’s history in the herring fishing and canning industry. This is the second of two object drops in Eastport (see also "Atlantic Time Zone" above). Both objects were created by sculptor Bill Schaefer of East Machias.[2][48]
Kennebunk, Maine: A wild blueberry ball has dropped from the town's First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church on Main Street since 2015.[49]
Grand Rapids, Michigan: A six-foot diameter steel ball is dropped for the WZZM Ball Drop in Rosa Parks Circle.[63][64] The ball was built by GLC Metal Fabricators Inc. in Ludington with help from Harsco, covered in LED lights done by Tye's Signs in Scottville. A crane raises the ball 160 feet into the air before lowering it slowly into its position for the countdown.[65]
Seaside Heights, New Jersey: Snooki from MTV's reality series Jersey Shore (which is set in Seaside Heights) was lowered inside a ball in 2011 for the network's New Year's Eve special. While the drop was originally to be held inside MTV's studios at Times Square alongside its more famous counterpart, city officials asked MTV not to do so.[74]
New York holds many elaborate drops, particularly the ball drop at Times Square and at the Electric Tower in Buffalo. The state comes in second in America for the most items dropped on New Year's Eve.
Buffalo, New York: A lighted ball is dropped, at one time along with a Ford Edgeautomobile.[76] The Buffalo Ball Drop (formerly the 97 Rock Ball Drop) is the second largest in the country, with 40,000 in attendance during a typical year.[77] The Buffalo Ball Drop is held annually from the Electric Tower in Roosevelt Plaza.[78] It was nearly canceled in 2010 (due mainly to the effects of the late 2000s recession) before a last-minute sponsorship drive brought in the necessary funds to successfully carry out the festivities. The event is broadcast on both 97 Rock (through the radio) and by WKBW-TV (on television), usually in split screen so that the viewers may see both the Times Square, and Electric Tower ball drops simultaneously.
Brocton, New York: A 14' diameter ball is dropped from a height of 165' in front of the Saint Stephen's Hotel at the Arches in downtown Brockton. This is reportedly the highest & largest ball drop in the country & the second highest in the world, according to the Dunkirk Observer.[79]
Cheektowaga, New York: A ball is dropped during the day on New Year's Eve to offer an alternative for families.[80]
Cornwall, New York: A custom illuminated ball is lowered from the top of Storm King Theater. Residents come together to watch the countdown and ball drop in the town square. This tradition has been going on for many years and the ball was created and maintained by the Yannone family.
Hamburg, New York: A ball is dropped.[81] The ball drop was discontinued in 2018 because of dangerously cold temperatures.[82]
New York City (Times Square): The most famous ball dropped is an 11,875 pounds (5,386 kg) Waterford Crystal ball. The Times Square Ball was originally made of wood and previously metal; during the 1980s, an illuminated apple was used in its place.[83] The ball used to be lit by halogen lamps, but LED has been used since 2008. In 2009, the ball became a permanent fixture year-round atop One Times Square.[84] Over a million people gather each year to see the famous drop, which lasts for sixty seconds. For the 1999-2000 ball drop, there were two million in attendance. The event is broadcast worldwide on major U.S. television networks with the most notable being Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on ABC (originally on NBC for the first two editions).
New York City (rotating locations, Greenwood Heights for 2011): A giant lighted ukulele, dropped by "Sonic Uke" (a local ukulele playing duo), has been dropped each year in a different location since 2004–05.[85]
Brasstown, North Carolina: A plexiglas pyramid containing a living opossum is lowered from the roof of Clay Logan's convenience store for The Possum Drop. The possum is turned loose at the end of the celebration. Despite these measures, the event has been met with criticism from animal rights activists, particularly PETA, who has a history of objections to the event.[94][95] The event resumed in 2014.[96] After PETA protests, organizers announced in January 2018 they would be stepping down and retiring from organizing the event, saying that "it's a hard job to do" and "it's time to move on."[97][98]
Charlotte, North Carolina: A lighted crown is raised, representing Charlotte's nickname as "The Queen City".[101] Charlotte Center City Partners produces the festivities.[102]
Marion, North Carolina: A five-foot tall illuminated gold nugget drops into a large doughnut at midnight EST. The event is hosted by the Marion Rotary Club with support and sponsorship from many local organizations and businesses.
Raleigh, North Carolina: A 900-pound copper-and-steel acorn, designed by sculptor David Benson to celebrate the city's 1992 Bicentennial and Raleigh’s nickname, “The City of Oaks”, is lowered by a crane.[106][107][108]
In years when the Carolina Hurricanes play at home on New Year's Eve, PNC Arena holds its own New Year's Eve "puck drop" inside the arena for fans that attend the game.[109]
Bradford, Pennsylvania: A model gazebo has been dropped since 2019; previous to that, a ball had been dropped on an irregular basis.[128] The 2020 gazebo drop was marred by the use of a fireworks display too large for the situation, which rained remnants of burning firework remains on the revelers.[129]
Burnham, Pennsylvania: Starting in 2018, a replica railroad wheel was dropped honoring Standard Steel LLC, which has operated for over 200 years.
Dillsburg, Pennsylvania: Two pickles are dropped;[133] the "Lil' Dill" at 7:00 p.m. ET (midnight in Ireland, in celebration of Dillsburg's Irish founders), and "Mr. Pickle" at midnight.[134]Flyer on the 2015/2016 celebration[130] This practice was canceled in 2017-18 due to dangerously cold temperatures, but subsequently brought back for 2018-19.
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania: For 2014, a steel mushroom was dropped. Kennett Square, often called "The Mushroom Capital of the World", is one of the largest growers of mushrooms.[143]
Folly Beach, South Carolina: A giant pair of flip flops are dropped at the end of Center Street, which pulls in a very large crowd over the past 8 years. It was started in 2010/2011.
South Hill, Virginia A 6-foot tall illuminated Star is dropped from 80-foot tall flag pole in the center of town at the Farmer's Market Square.[citation needed]
Mobile, Alabama: A 600-pound, lit Moon Pie is lowered from the RSA Tower in the "MoonPie Over Mobile" festivities sponsored by Chattanooga Bakery. The drop is televised locally by WKRG-TV and syndicated to Alabama television stations owned by Raycom Media (who is headquartered in the tower). Festivities also include a Mardi Gras-styled parade, as moon pies are a traditional "throw" at Mardi Gras events in Mobile.[170][171][172][173]
Fairhope, Alabama: A ball is dropped. The event was cancelled in 2010, but resumed in time to ring in 2011.[174][175]
Wetumpka, Alabama: A meteorite is dropped at the Old Courthouse at 11pm Central Time in honor of the meteorite that hit the River City. At the stroke of midnight, a big fireworks display takes place over the river.[176]
Dothan, Alabama: Nicknamed "The Peanut Capital of the World", this city has an annual "Peanut Drop".[177]
Panama City, Florida: An illuminated, 800-pound beach ball descends from a tower 12 stories high at midnight.[183][184][185][186] At 8:30pm there is a fireworks celebration and a "family ball drop" with 7,000 beach balls.[187]
Manhattan, Kansas: "The Little Apple", an apple-shaped aluminum ball (a replica of the 1980s era Times Square Ball), is dropped, with the events televised by WIBW-TV in Topeka until 2013–14.[193][194]
Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana: A fleur-de-lis is lowered at Jackson Square. Until 2008, a gumbo pot was dropped. Since 2017, New Year's Rockin' Eve has televised the drop and concert acts from the city as part of a new Central Time segment of the special.[195][196]
Mississippi
Columbus, Mississippi: An illuminated 10-foot wide by 10-foot tall lit aluminum ball is hoisted over College Street 100 feet high as part of the "Having a Ball Downtown Block Party". Festivities are broadcast live on WCBI.[197] No longer airs!
Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri: Michael "The Doughboy" Maslak, the longest-tenured improviser at the ComedyCity improv theater, is draped in lights and dropped by members of the troupe.[198]
Tulsa: The Tulsa Ball Drop, held annually in Brookside, a district famous for its nightlife, features live music, performances, and a street party.[202]
Nashville, Tennessee: An 80-foot Guitar Drop took place at Nashville's Hard Rock Cafe during Music City's Bash On Broadway.[205][206] In 2011 the partnership ended with Hard Rock Cafe and the guitar was exchanged for a 15-foot-tall music note.[207]
Texas
Austin, Texas: Families in the Austin Woods neighborhood traditionally celebrate the new year with large illuminated new year's balls hung from trees, which are lowered at varying times during New Year's Eve. Downtown, a Lone Star was dropped until 2006, then replaced with a simple mirrored ball.[208]
Houston, Texas: A star representing the Lone Star State was raised at midnight.[209] No celebration was held in 2019.[210] There is also a Noon Ball Drop at the Children's Museum of Houston for families to celebrate New Year's Noon.[211]
McAllen, Texas: A giant mirrored ball descends just before midnight. The first orb for 2008 was six feet in diameter, but in 2009 McAllen's big bash was expanded to include a bigger crowd (10,000 attended), a bigger party space and the bigger "Texas-sized" ball used until 2014.[212] This event was last staged in 2014-15 and the event was axed in 2015 due to budgetary problems. An attempt was made to resurrect the event for 2017-18, but failed because of a lack of permit.
Plymouth, Wisconsin: Plymouth drops an 80-pound decorated cheese wedge, the newest Wisconsin cheese, from a 100 ft. ladder truck in a tribute to the region's dairy industry and dairy products. The Plymouth Arts Center hosts the annual “Build Your Own New Year’s Party” next to the Creamery Building's parking lot where "The Big Cheese Drop" takes place.[213][214][215]
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin: A carp (real but dead) caught by local fishers and weighing between 25 and 30 pounds is lowered. A carp was chosen to represent the area's fishing industry and because the carp is considered one of the luckiest fish in Chinese culture. The carp, nicknamed “Lucky”, is lowered onto a throne. Each “Lucky” has a tree planted where it is buried with a commemorative plaque listing the carp's name and year.[112][216]
Tempe, Arizona: An illuminated sunburst was dropped while the Fiesta Bowl Block Party and Parade was sponsored by Sunkist,[220][221][222][223] but replaced by a Giant Tortilla Chip when Tostitos Tortilla Chips took over the sponsorship from Sunkist. The party is 10 blocks long and four blocks wide with two fireworks shows (10p.m. and midnight).[224]
Show Low, Arizona: A deuce of clubs (2♣) debuted in 2011–12. The card, which is the namesake of the main road through Show Low, is, according to legend the origin of the town's name (the town's founders allegedly derived the name "show low" from a game of poker where the winner showed a 2♣, the lowest card in the deck).[225]
Yuma, Arizona: In 2018, the city introduced the "Iceberg Drop", lowering a giant, illuminated lettuce. Two drops are held, with one at 10:00 p.m. MT to mark the arrival of the new year in the Eastern Time Zone, and a second at midnight local time.[228][229]
Twin Falls, Idaho: Since 2002, a metal ball, bought at auction for $14 by Dave Woodhead—owner of the former bar Woody's, has been dropped from a pair of grain elevators. The low-budget event attracted a cult following: later editions also switched from a manual pulley to using a 1961 Ford Econoline truck to lower the ball. Following the lease of the bar to new owners, the event was placed on hiatus for 2014, but returned for 2015 in partnership with the new owners. Woodhead acknowledged the drop's inclusion on lists of New Year's Eve drops on Mental Floss and Wikipedia as a sign of notoriety for the event.[235][236]
Sacramento, California: A diamond-shaped ball was dropped in 2009,[239] but this was discontinued in 2010.[240] A proposal to revive the ball drop for 2013 was rejected.[241]
Setting up for the first ball drop in La Grande, Oregon Dec 27, 2014La Grande, Oregon: A 4ft 10in ball with 1500 lights is dropped. It was dropped for the first time on New Years Eve 2014-15. It is manually lowered down the 25 ft rooftop flag pole on the John Howard Building. La Grande Main Street's block party centers around the ball drop and closes Adams Ave for a few hours so the public can safely watch the family friendly event. Five burn barrels in the street are used to keep the public warm, and several downtown businesses stay open for the festivities.