Every year, millions tune in from around the world on Dec. 31 to watch a massive, sparkly ball come down from the sky in Times Square.
Most of those viewers probably don’t know that at the same time, a collection of much more… unique objects descend from the heavens in the cities and towns of a neighboring state.
New Year’s Eve “drops” — they’re more like gradual lowerings, really — are apparently derived from a time-keeping practice started in the 1830s at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. There, a “time-ball” would drop at 1 p.m. every day to help ship captains set their chronometers, according to the Times Square website. New York City has been doing a Dec. 31 ball drop to signal the passage of time for over 100 years.
Pennsylvania’s become sort of known for its local twists on the tradition.
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The takes, which have come and gone, are usually organized by municipal governments, local development organizations, or private businesses. Most items are somehow significant to their towns’ economies, histories, cultures, or names.
Past years’ countdown drops (or raises) in Pa. have included Myerstown’s giant Bayer aspirin tablet, Easton’s oversized Crayola crayon, and Shamokin’s huge piece of coal.
One of the oddest is in Lower Allen Township, which at midnight will drop a 4-ft. sculpture of yellow pants known as “Big Breechie.” Organizer Bradley Anderson told Billy Penn the custom has been called one of the “quirkiest” New Year traditions in the entire country. “We’re rather proud of that moniker,” he said.
Started in 2009, the ritual pays homage to the nearby Yellow Breeches Creek, per Anderson. Like the other drops, it’s a chance to bring the community together for a celebration with games, food, and music. At 10 p.m., they drop “Baby Breechie” — a real, child-sized pair of pants with a blue wig and big eyes — so kids can also get in on the fun.
Philadelphia — though certainly home to eccentric New Year’s celebrations of its own — isn’t particularly big on the descending-object custom.
Across the rest of the commonwealth, though, there are dozens more drops going down this year. Here’s a glimpse at some of them.
Pittsburgh: 1,000-lb. ball of sustainable materials
Pennsylvania’s second-largest city raises the 6.5-ft. diameter “Future of Pittsburgh Ball” — a half-ton of recycled steel, ecoresin, and high-efficiency LED lights — nearly 75 feet into the air.
Kennett Square: Mushroom
The “Mushroom Capital of the World” will ring in 2023 by lowering its massive, illuminated fungus sculpture for the 10th time.
Lancaster and York: Roses, minus the war
The central Pa. cities’ NYE traditions are a callback to a long and violent period in British history from over five centuries ago. Lancaster’s rose sculpture is red, and York’s is white.
Gettysburg: Abraham Lincoln’s stovepipe hat
The Adams County town, of “Battle of…” and “…Address” fame, is paying tribute to its Civil War history with this new addition. The lighted hat, which stands 14 feet tall and is made of aluminum, will be raised at midnight.
Sunbury: Lightbulb
The Northumberland County community along the Susquehanna River plans to raise an Edison bulb during its 2023 countdown, and then turn it on at midnight.
Bethlehem: Giant Peep
The home of Just Born Quality Confections, manufacturer of the popular Easter marshmallows — is celebrating on both Dec. 30 and 31 by lowering a 400-lb. Peeps chick at 5:35 p.m. each day. Sadly, it’s not actually edible.
Lebanon: Lebanon bologna and a disco ball
Lebanon will drop a local deli staple — courtesy of Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats — dangling from a locally-manufactured disco ball. Bonus: this one is real, and the meat gets donated to the Lebanon Rescue Mission after the event.
Mechanicsburg, Shippensburg, Hershey, and Dillsburg: You might be able to guess
These central Pa. towns stay true to their names: Mechanicsburg drops a steel wrench, Shippensburg drops an anchor, Hershey raises a chocolate kiss, and Dillsburg drops a pickle.
Duncannon: Sled
With a long history of sled-making, this borough in Perry County drops one every New Year’s Eve to ring in another year of sliding down snowy hills.
Akron and Hallam: A shoe and a shoe house
Akron in Lancaster County will host its annual “shoe-in” on NYE, where a giant purple and gold sneaker is lowered to the ground. Meanwhile, Hallam in York County drops the other one..kind of. Home of the boot-shaped “Shoe House”, it drops a replica of the building.
Harrisburg: Strawberry
In a tradition apparently created because of a street name, the state capital will lower a big strawberry at midnight. Earlier in the evening, the city is also planning to drop 1,000 balloons.
Marysville and Mifflintown: Bridges
Located along the Susquehanna River, Marysville will drop a replica of the Rockville Bridge. Mifflintown, on the Juniata River, is paying homage to one of its bridges too.
New Bloomfield: Huckleberry
Located near huckleberry plants that have been there for over a thousand years, New Bloomfield in Perry County will ring in 2023 with its annual berry drop.
Plains Township: Huge brick
Another for the new traditions list: This Northeast Pa. township plans to drop a 4-ft. by 2-ft. wood and PVC-pipe replica brick at “The Brick,” a longtime community gathering space.
Ephrata: It’s a ~mystery~
In Lancaster County, Ephrata is getting a new “Unexpected” celebration in its downtown, featuring some kind of drop or raise… but apparently you have to go to find out what it’s gonna be.
Reamstown, Pottsville, Carlisle, and KOP: Beer, beer, and more beer
Breweries in Reamstown, Carlisle, and King of Prussia are bringing the party home and lowering beer cans and kegs on NYE. Yuengling hometown Pottsville usually raises a beer bottle, but it’s unclear if that’s happening this year.
Red Lion: A lion hoisting a cigar
The York County community, which was once home to 150 cigar factories, is continuing the annual tradition of raising a cutout of a lion holding a stogie above its head.
Where to watch things drop in Philly
There are a handful of spots in the city planning drop events on NYE, though not all at midnight:
- A kid-friendly countdown celebration is happening in Franklin Square between 5 and 6 p.m., and the free event will end with a “square drop” from atop the SquareBurger snack bar.
- The Please Touch Museum is hosting a “Countdown2Noon” celebration geared toward kids, with a ball drop at noon. Admission is $25 per person.
- Northern Liberties tavern The 700 will lower a ball at midnight, right outside the bar.
