The ball drop in Times Square may be the most time-honored tradition in the United States.<\/b>
\nThe ball drop in Times Square may be the most time-honored tradition in the United States. (The Waterford Crystal ball is still dropping this year; but to empty streets \u2014 viewers can witness it virtually as it will be streamed via a number of outlets, including TimesSquareNYC.org). But, around the country, cities put their own unique hometown spins on New Year\u2019s drops, from Peeps to pickles that descend from the night sky. Here, six of the most interesting New Year\u2019s Eve drops around the country including a decadent chocolate ball smash (it comes with a wooden hammer and champagne pearls!) that can be done from home since that\u2019s the best place to be this New Year\u2019s Eve. Bethlehem is home to PEEPS and to celebrate the iconic sugary treat, it drops a lit-up 400-pound Yellow PEEPS Chick that\u2019s almost 5 feet tall on New Year\u2019s Eve. The drop that happens at the SteelStacks is happening virtually this year. Grab your popcorn, err, PEEPS, and begin livestreaming the countdown at 4:30 p.m. EST here. The potato drop got its start in 2013 as a free family-friendly New Year\u2019s Eve celebration. A tradition was born, and every year since, a potato is dropped in downtown Boise. In 2017, the potato was upgraded to a glowing potato known as the \u00ab\u00a0GlowTato.\u201d This year, the potato is dropping from an undisclosed location and can be livestreamed here. A lucky winner will become Las Vegas\u2019 \u201cball drop\u201d at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod this New Year\u2019s Eve. The winner of the hotel\u2019s \u201cMidnight Mirror Ball\u201d will jump from the iconic casino\u2019s 829-foot SkyJump attraction at the stroke of midnight on New Year\u2019s Eve. For the past two decades Mt. Olive Pickle has rung in the New Year with a pickle drop and canned food drive in Mount Olive, North Carolina. Like many events in 2020, the Pickle Drop was canceled this year. But for pickle lovers near and far, you can watch past pickles come down the pole in a 30-minute compilation video of the event from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST on YouTube. In normal years, an Oyster Ball Drop tradition takes place at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi, Mississippi. A large bundle of shimmer oyster shells is lowered down a cable from the top of the museum and into an oyster basket. A factory whistle blows to ring in the New Year and fireworks are shot off in the background. Celebrity pastry chef Chris Ford from ButterLove&Hardwork \u2014 whose star-studded client list includes Kim Kardashian, Chrissy Tiegen, Cher and many more \u2014 created a decadent replica of the famous Times Square NYE ball. Consider it confectionery contemporary art. The chocolate ball, which comes with a wooden hammer, was designed with 2020 in mind, as this is a year that\u2019s \u201cnot just meant to be dropped, but also smashed.\u201d When it\u2019s smashed or dropped, it reveals champagne caramel truffles and white chocolate pearls. To keep the rest of 2021 sweet, shop these recipe packets from ButterLove&Hardwork.<\/p>\n