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NorthJersey.com
More and New Jersey towns are making drops to start the new year.
Following the examples North Jersey's Passaic and South's Hammonton set in 2018, several more of New Jersey's municipalities are getting on board to drop iconic items on the final night or first morning of the year.
That was the year that Passaic decided to lower a pinata from 663 Main, the tallest building in the city and Hammontown, a blueberry, which is only fitting for the"Blueberry Capital of the World."
Last year Hackettstown got into the act when its best-known business, Mars Inc. dropped its M&M’S® ball in the downtown business district.
“Our iconic M&M’S have been part of the Hackettstown community since 1958 and millions of M&M’S are produced here every day,” said Michal Riha, site director, Mars Hackettstown told Hackettstown.net. “We’re proud to call Hackettstown home and I’m honored to be part of this year’s celebration as we welcome 2025 with an M&M’S countdown.”
In Beach Haven, at 7 p.m. Ship Bottom Brewery will hold a keg drop to celebrate the New Year, while in Sussex County, Vernon's mayor posted on Facebook that the town intends to get in the game next year, for New Year's Eve 2025.
NYE alternative to Times Square
Passaic is planning its annual fete along Main Avenue, which, even when Mother Nature tries to put on damper on the festive spirit, crowds turn out to dine, dance and celebrate the new year.
Its Mayor Hector Lora said the seven-year-old tradition is an attractive substitute for spending the night in Times Square. For many, getting into and out of Passaic is way cheaper and pretty painless, he said.
Revelers can decide to attend at the last minute, and Passaic has lots to offer in the way of restaurants, he added.
"We want to help out local businesses and keep our residents safe by keeping off the roads," Lora said. "We allow our restaurants to be open to 5 a.m. for those celebrating, especially those heading home."
The pinata is each year crafted by 3Reyes Dulcelandia ("Three Kings Candyland"), a Passaic candy shop, the pin?ata will be hauled up and then lowered down the side of 663 Main Ave., a 12-story building that is also home to the city's Board of Education, a gym and, on the street level, a Mama Sushi restaurant. Local DJs will provide entertainment, and adult beverages will be sold.
After it's lowered at midnight, the pin?ata will shower confetti on the crowd.
Other New Year’s Eve drops
New York, of course, has its 12,000-pound, Waterford crystal-encrusted ball that will descend from 1 Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Elsewhere, they'll be scores of count downs with hunks of cheese and chrome chili peppers and even a drag queen lowered from their perches.
Pennsylvania it seems leads the nation in number of items lowered. About 60 towns have their own lowering traditions.
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a 100-pound yellow illuminated Peep (Peeps' producer, Just Born, is based in Bethlehem) made of fiberglass.
In Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, a bag of Martin's Potato Rolls is dropped.
In Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a stick of Lebanon Bologna is dropped.
In Key West, Florida, at the Bourbon Street Pub, a female impersonator is lowered in a red high-heeled shoe.
At Sloppy Joe's Bar, also in Key West, a giant manmade conch shell is lowered.
At Schooner's Wharf, in Key West, a pirate wench is lowered and at the First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery, uniformed "stewardess" descends in Pan Am airlines plane replica.
The trend is even expanding internationally as in Bermuda a papier-ma?che? Bermuda onion covered in Christmas lights is dropped and several cities in the Philippines lower stars to welcome the new year.