Pickle Drop New Year's Eve
By From staff reports
Published in News on December 28, 2015 1:46 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- The Mt. Olive Pickle Co. will hold its 17th annual New Year's Eve Pickle Drop on Thursday, Dec. 31, beginning at 6 p.m. at the corner of Cucumber and Vine streets.
The New Year's Eve Pickle descends down the flagpole at the stroke of 7 p.m. midnight -- that's 7 o'clock EST, which also happens to be midnight Greenwich Mean Time.
"That way, we are official, we shout Happy New Year! -- and we don't have to stay up until midnight," said Lynn Williams, company spokesperson.
"This has turned into a great event for families and children, as well as older adults. It's early, it's quick, and it's just a lot of fun."
In the last several years thousands have turned out to watch the lighted, 3-foot pickle drop down the company's 45-foot flagpole and into a perfectly preserved redwood pickle tank at precisely 7 o'clock.
Video screens mark the countdown of the year's final hour, from 6 to 7 p.m., while the Harmony Boys perform from 6 to 6:50 p.m.
Free refreshments, including hot chocolate, cookies and pickles, are also served.
Another part of the Pickle Drop tradition is the canned food drive for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
Those bringing canned food or who make financial contributions receive a chance to win door prizes at the evening's end.
The grand prize is a pool pickle similar to the one that is dropped.
The company's gift shop is open until 7 p.m.
For driving directions to Mt. Olive Pickle, go to www.picklemap.com.
For those who can't make it in person, they can watch the event live on New Year's Eve on the web at www.mtolivepickles.com.
In business since 1926 in its hometown of Mount Olive, Mt. Olive Pickle Co. manufactures the second best-selling brand of pickles in the country.