NC towns greet New Year with pickle, flea

In North Carolina, nothing says "Happy New Year" like a giant pickle. Except maybe a giant flea.

Towns and cities across the state are planning to welcome 2011 with their own distinct variations on the world-famous Times Square ball drop.

In Fayetteville, a dogwood flower will drop at midnight during the city's celebration in Festival Park.

Raleigh will drop its famous acorn, while the Cumberland County town of Eastover will drop a 3-foot-tall, 30-pound flea made of fabric and wood.

A celebration in Kure Beach will include the dropping of a giant lighted beach ball. And in the Clay County community of Brasstown, people will gather for the annual lowering of the possum.

In Mount Olive, the festivities include a giant illuminated pickle. But get there early — they celebrate midnight by Greenwich Mean Time, which means 7 p.m. here in North Carolina.