MO Pickle Drop
By Steve Herring
Published in News on December 30, 2016 9:42 AM
Jason Kennedy and his son, Jason Kennedy II, 5, blow their noise makers at midnight (Greenwich Mean Time) during the Mt. Olive Pickle Company's 2011 New Year's Eve Pickle Drop.
MOUNT OLIVE -- Instead of tossing confetti to mark the start of the new year, those attending Saturday's New Year's Eve Pickle Drop are being asked to donate canned food to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
The 18th annual Pickle Drop, sponsored by Mt. Olive Pickle Co., will be begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at the corner of Cucumber and Vine streets.
One of the traditions of the Pickle Drop is the canned food drive for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. This year, in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, the food drive is even more important.
"Typically after the holidays local food pantries are nearly depleted, so we are always glad to sponsor a food drive during the Pickle Drop," said Lynn Williams, pickle company spokesman. "This year there's even more of an impetus to have a successful food drive because Hurricane Matthew back in October really stretched food supplies for pantries, shelters and local food banks throughout eastern North Carolina."
Since 2007 the Pickle Drop has partnered with the Food Bank Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina that serves 34 counties through 800 partner agencies.
In the weeks after Hurricane Matthew, it distributed more than 2 million pounds of disaster relief food, water and supplies in addition to its regular distributions.
"The need is tremendous, and it continues even now as families in our region struggle to recover from the disaster," Mrs. Williams said. "So we are making a special appeal to those planning to attend the Pickle Drop to bring donations."
People who bring canned food or make cash donations to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina will receive a chance to win door prizes.
The grand prize is a 3-foot pool pickle like the one that is dropped down the company flagpole. The door prizes are awarded immediately following the drop.
"We've had a lot of fun with the door prizes over the years," Mrs. Williams said. "One time I remember a little girl won the pool pickle. It was literally taller than she was -- she looked to be about 3 or 4 years old. She had to drag it across the grass when we gave it to her."
The New Year's Eve pickle descends down the flagpole and into a vintage wooden pickle vat at the stroke of 7 p.m., 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," Mrs. Williams said. "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.
"We always encourage folks to get here early. The whole thing is over at 7:05 or as soon as we award all the door prizes."
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Mt. Olive Pickle Co., and an exhibit highlighting the company's history and founders will also be on display.
In the last several years thousands have turned out to watch a 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.
The Harmony Boys will perform, and DJ L.J. Manley will lead the crowd in line dancing.
Free refreshments -- hot chocolate, cookies and pickles -- will also be served.
The company's gift shop will be open that day from 3 to 7 p.m.
For driving directions to Mt. Olive Pickle, go to www.picklemap.com.
For those who can't make it in person, watch it live on New Year's Eve on the web at www.mtolivepickles.com.
The Pickle Drop was started in 1999 by the late Johnny Walker, Mt. Olive Pickle Co. president emeritus.
Walker had been inspired by a 1950s publicity stunt by Pickle Packers International in Chicago that invited past World War II bombardier -- who claimed they were so accurate they could drop a bomb in a pickle barrel -- to drop pickles from a skyscraper into barrels on the sidewalk.
In that first year of the Pickle Drop, eight people attended, including company mascot Mr. Crisp.
In 2001 the event opened to the public and has grown ever since with new additions and improvements made every year.
First, a countdown marquee was added.
Next, the pickle was rigged with interior lights.
The usual splash caused by the pickle dropping into the barrel -- created by someone throwing a bucket of water behind the scenes -- has been replaced by water shot into the air followed by a balloon release.
In business since 1926 in its hometown of Mount Olive, Mt. Olive Pickle Co. manufactures the best-selling brand of pickles, peppers and relishes in U.S. grocery stores.