WLOS — Towns and cities all across North Carolina have their own ways of bringing in the New Year, and there are even unique ones here in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
One of the more popular ones was the Possum Drop, which used to be held in Brasstown in Clay County. But that tradition ended in 2018 after many felt like the event was abusive to possums.
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Listed below are some of the more unique New Year's Eve traditions, beginning with those in Western North Carolina:
The Apple Rise: This event truly is unique in that instead of a drop, it's a rise. Hendersonville holds the event from 5-7 p.m. at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse.
Golden Keg Drop: One of Biltmore Park's cherished New Year's Eve events is the . It's from 10 p.m. to midnight, with a toast to ring in the new year.
Ruby Drop: The Town of Franklin celebrates New Year's Eve starting with an early-bird drop of an 800-pound ruby at 9 p.m. and a later drop at midnight. Over 1,500 red lights lit up the inside of the ruby, according to ExperienceFranklinNC.com.
Gold Nugget Drop: McDowell County has the Gold Nugget Drop in Marion, which is home to the North Carolina Gold Foundation. The 80-pound gold nugget will be dropped down into a pot of gold to bring in the new year. The event is put on by the Rotary Club of Marion.
Acorn Drop: The state capital of Raleigh pays its biggest tribute to its nickname as the “City of the Oaks” by holding the annual Acorn Drop. According to visitnc.com, for more than 20 years, Raleigh has celebrated New Year’s Eve and its nickname by dropping a giant acorn at the stroke of midnight. This piece of art is a 10-foot-tall, 1,250-pound copper and steel acorn.
Collard Drop: Stanfield's General Store in Four Oaks will be holding the Collard Drop for a third straight year. Collards will drop at 8 p.m., the store said in a Facebook post.
Pickle Drop: Mount Olive, home to the Mount Olive Pickle Company, of course drops a big pickle to ring in the new year. The pickle drops into a big jar at 7 p.m., and fireworks follow, along with other festivities, and - free pickles.
Pig Drop: Newport celebrates its livestock with a dropping of a pig...not an actual pig, but a cardboard cutout of one.
Blueberry Drop: Another fruit celebrated in North Carolina is the blueberry. In the town of Burgaw, which is one of the state's largest producers of blueberries, the Blueberry Drop is held from 5-7 p.m.
Flea Drop: Eastover, which was originally named Flea Hill, drops a foam-made flea at midnight. The flea is 3 feet tall and weighs 30 pounds.