N.C. towns put unique spin on New Year's celebration

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — New Year's fun will take several forms across North Carolina.

Mount Olive has the pickle drop. Brasstown has a possum drop. Raleigh drops a giant acorn.

The pickle drop features a 3-foot lighted pickle replica lowered down the flagpole of Mt. Olive Pickle Co. for the 10th year.

Clay Logan said he will sponsor the 14th annual possum drop at his store in the community of Brasstown near the North Carolina-Georgia border. He said the live animal, in a cage, is gently lowered from his country store's roof.

The capital city of Raleigh will host its 18th annual downtown celebration that concludes with the lowering of a giant acorn, the New Year's symbol for the City of Oaks. A downtown party in Charlotte also includes a countdown to midnight.

Southern Pines has scheduled its ball drop for 8:15 p.m. as part of its First Eve event, which features family-oriented activities and entertainment on Broad Street from 6 to 9 p.m.

Wake Forest will ring in the New Year with the inaugural First Light Wake Forest. The no-charge, alcohol-free family event with music and fireworks starts at 6 p.m. on South White Street.

Fayetteville hosts a charity President's Black & White Ball at the Metropolitan Room on Green Street as part of its festivities. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Rape Crisis Center. There will also be a midnight breakfast buffet and champagne toast.