"America's Unique New Year's Eve Countdowns: From NYC's Ball Drop to Pickles and MoonPies"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NPR
Across the United States, various cities celebrate New Year's Eve with unique traditions beyond the iconic Times Square ball drop. In Havre de Grace, Maryland, a duck decoy descends, while Mt. Olive, North Carolina, lowers a giant pickle, courtesy of the local pickle company. Mobile, Alabama, rings in the new year with a giant electronic MoonPie, and Flagstaff, Arizona, drops a metallic pinecone. Temecula, California, lowers oversized grapes, and Seattle, Washington, launches fireworks from the Space Needle. These diverse celebrations reflect local culture and history, drawing thousands of spectators and adding regional flair to the nationwide festivities.