Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

2 Pennsylvania New Year’s Eve Drops Among Best in America

Author Kayla Morgan

One of the most cherished traditions associated with ushering in the New Year revolves around the New Year’s Eve drops. This tradition, characterized by the descent of a large object at the stroke of midnight, has evolved into a unique celebration for numerous cities, each infusing its creative twist.

To spotlight the most exceptional New Year’s Eve drops across the United States, USA Today‘s 10Best compiled a list. These selections, nominated by travel editors and determined through reader votes, showcase the individualized charm of each drop, with many cities adding their innovative elements.

Pennsylvania makes the list with two New Year’s Eve drops.

Pennsylvania has two New Year’s Eve drops on the list. Securing the fifth spot is Bethlehem’s PEEPS Chick Drop, an event centered around a giant illuminated 400-pound PEEPS Chick descending at SteelStacks. Interestingly, this even doesn’t happen at the stroke of midnight but at 5:35 p.m. on both December 30 and 31, accompanied by a fireworks display.

Further down the list, in the tenth spot, is the Mushroom Drop in Kennett Square. This annual tradition involves the descent of a 700-pound electric mushroom at the stroke of midnight, accompanied by the crowd’s traditional sing-along of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” The ranking also draws attention to Kennett Square’s distinction as a major producer, responsible for more than half of the country’s mushrooms.

Panama City’s Beach Ball drop, held at Pier Park and celebrated for its vibrant ambiance, claims the top spot on the list. The public is invited to witness not just one but two beach ball drops—the first at 8 p.m. and the second at midnight. The event also features live music, entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks display.

Occupying the second and third positions are Boise, Idaho’s Potato Drop, and Las Cruces’ Mexico’s Chile Drop. Boise garners recognition for its luminous potato dropping at midnight, accompanied by an annual celebration including fireworks, music, art performances, and sporting events. Las Cruces, Mexico, follows closely behind. They kick off the new year with an illuminated 19-foot chili pepper drop at the stroke of midnight, with live music, food, and a variety of activities.

Embrace the Unconventional with These 5 Non-Cliché Resolutions

‘Tis the season when many of us craft our New Year’s resolutions, including aspirations such as adopting healthier habits, reducing social media consumption, abstaining from alcohol, and embracing more home-cooked meals. While these goals are admirable, the recurring nature of such resolutions and the common struggle to stick to them is a familiar tale. Whether one opts for one resolution or a collection of them, why not inject a dose of originality by steering clear of clichés?

Why do some people have New Year’s resolutions?

The advent of the New Year presents a blank canvas. It’s an opportunity to rectify past missteps. New Year’s resolutions embody the optimism that the upcoming year will be brighter, symbolizing a departure from the past. Dennis Buttimer, M.Ed., CEAP, RYT, a facilitator at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, shared his take on the motivation behind making these resolutions. He stated, “I think most people desire a second chance to enhance the quality of their lives,” as shared on Piedmont.org. He mentioned that we are employing a concept known as “self-efficacy.” This concept entails that, by setting a goal and actively pursuing it, we gain a sense of control over the events unfolding in our lives.

How some say New Year’s resolutions started.

While the tradition of formulating New Year’s resolutions has been around for quite some time, it has evolved. According to the History Channel, the ancient Babylonians, credited with pioneering this practice some 4,000 years ago, observed a different commencement of the year in mid-March, coinciding with the planting of crops. Their 12-day religious festival, Akitu, involved the coronation of a new king or the reaffirmation of loyalty to the reigning one. Interestingly, the Babylonians made pledges to the gods, promising to settle debts and return borrowed items. Fulfilling these commitments was believed to garner favor from the pagan deities for the ensuing year.

Back to the present day: if you want to embrace the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions but want to steer clear of the usual ones that people typically lean towards, check out our compilation of non-cliché New Year’s resolutions below.

  • Monthly Foodie Fun

    Spice up your palate by trying a new food each month. Whether it’s exotic fruits, international cuisines, or local foods. This resolution will take your taste buds on an adventure.

    Nice white cream. Cute girl trying fresh cake while sits in the room with beautiful fireplace.

    standret/ Getty Images

  • Gratitude in Writing

    Sending handwritten letters to say thank you is a great way to add a personal touch to your New Year. It’s a chance to swap out emails and texts and give someone something tangible. A tangible note carries a special warmth that words on a screen can’t replicate.

    Student hand writing letter at home in the night

    Pheelings Media/ Getty Images

  • Digital Detox Night

    Unplug and unwind by turning off your phone for one night every week. Enjoy some screen-free time and soak in the real world. It’s a resolution you can treat like a mini digital vacation.

    Woman hand using smartphone to switch off or shut down online and social connection. Business, financial, trade stock maket and social network concept.

    Suwaree Tangbovornpichet/ Getty Images

  • Silent Travels

    Travel somewhere special and savor the experience without the pressure to post. Take a trip without turning it into a social media spectacle. Keep it on the down-low, soak in the adventure, and let your experiences be yours alone. No hashtags needed.

    Happy black woman, desert holiday road trip and man driving jeep with body outside car window view of South Africa landscape. Couple on a travel adventure, summer vacation and explore nature together

    PeopleImages/ Getty Images

  • Celebrate Yourself

    Instead of fixating on future goals, try crafting a reverse bucket list. Jot down and cheer for all the quirky and unexpected things you’ve already accomplished. It’s like a highlight reel of your incredible moments.

    Beautiful African woman throwing confetti and smiling against yellow background

    g-stockstudio/ Getty Images

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

Get The XTU Nation Insider Newsletter In Your Inbox

Enjoy the latest Country music & entertainment news, Philly happenings you need to know, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Kayla Morgan
Category:
Tags:
,

More 92.5 XTU

Load More