Where are the wackiest New Year's Eve drops in the US?

"Dozens of places across the U.S. will ring in 2026 by dropping a quirky assortment of fruits, vegetables, sea creatures and balls of all shapes and sizes. Many have a hometown flair. There's the giant cheese wedge in Plymouth, Wisconsin, a chile pepper in Las Cruces, New Mexico, a pinecone in Flagstaff, Arizona, and a conch shell in Key West, Florida."

"It's said in some cultures that eating fruit on New Year's Eve brings luck and wealth. Perhaps that's why many cities mix fruit into their celebrations. Miami has its "Big Orange" drop, while Sarasota, Florida, features a pineapple. There are cherry drops in Milwaukie, Oregon, and Traverse City, Michigan. Brightly lit grapes plunge from above in Temecula, California. Atlanta this year is replacing its peach drop with a "digital drone peach in the sky.""

"It's tough to beat ringing in the year while watching a pair of sparkly flip-flops diving into Folly Beach, South Carolina. In Panama City Beach, Florida, there's an evening-long bash where 15,000 beach balls are dropped above revelers just hours before a giant beach ball descends a tower at midnight. MoonPies and a giant Peep What could be better than seeing a 600-pound MoonPie make a 60-second descent in Mobile, Alabama?"

Dozens of U.S. communities ring in the new year by dropping oversized, locally themed objects instead of a ball. Examples include a giant cheese wedge in Plymouth, Wisconsin; a chile pepper in Las Cruces, New Mexico; a pinecone in Flagstaff, Arizona; and a conch shell in Key West, Florida. Pennsylvania hosts multiple novelty drops such as bologna, pickle, and potato chip events. The practice traces to a 1907 Times Square ball debut and has inspired copycat celebrations nationwide. Many places feature fruit-themed drops, massive beach-ball events, and oversized branded items like a 600-pound MoonPie descending in Mobile, Alabama.

Read at NBC4 Washington